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Question on bridge or implant for tooth loss

Posted By Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 09/27/2010

I don't know if this is a question for this site but I have a problem. Last Saturday, out of the blue the dentist had to pull one of my teeth that was broken in two. As I have never had problems with the teeth I am at a loss of what to do in order to replace it. You will probably think that the dentist would be the best person to advise me but he says that he can't, he only explained that the option is either a bridge or an implant but doesn't even tell me the pros and the cons. I am feeling quite anxious not knowing what to do. An implant is a lot more expensive (we will pay it if necessary), in order to do the bridge he will have to cut the two teeth on either side and I am worried about that as one is perfectly good and the other has a filling. What will happen if one day one of those teeth has problems? Any ideas will be welcome!

Replied by Merryanne (Orange City, Florida, Usa) on 09/28/2010

I will be glad to share my personal fealings on this. I am 63 years young, and have had and still have bad teeth. If I had the momey or better dental insurance I would go with dental implants. It looks natural and you can eat normally, partial plates are very useless, do as much as you can afford with implants, , there are several styles of ways to use the implant method, I wish I could.

Replied by Lisa (Lafayette, La) on 09/28/2010

Francisca, in re: to your tooth dilemma: I sympathize, had the same exact problem. I got the bridge first. WRONG! About 10 years later, both teeth on either side that they ground down to be able to attach the bridge to went bad. I had them pulled and put in three implants. Yes, expensive, YES worth it! If I had the money back then, I would have put in an implant and saved myself the trouble and the lost teeth. The dentist won't advise you, but at least he did tell you that the two teeth on either side would have to be compromised. Get the implant, girl! :)

Replied by Rob (Manhattan, New York) on 09/28/2010

I thought implants were the way to go until I read this by Dr. Weil: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400773/Are-Dental-Implants-Safe.html

Replied by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 09/28/2010

Thanks Merryanne. I am 53 by the way and always very strong teeth so it was an awful shock to lose this one. It had had a root canal so maybe I should be glad that it is gone..... But I still feel bad! I am going for a second opinion soon. Implants are awfully expensive and our insurance doesn't pay that much but cutting bits of two other teeth doesn't quite seem right. I found it strange that the dentist didn't want to discuss the pros and the cons.

Replied by Elsaeasterly (Elsewhere, Ca, Usa) on 09/29/2010

Rob,

I see that you refer frequently to Dr. Weil's site. I'm guessing that you probably visited his forums also. Were you dismayed, as was I, at the sudden closure of the discussion boards?

Replied by Rob (Manhattan, New York) on 09/30/2010

Thanks, I was unaware of this.... I frequent his blog and signed up for his daily recipes and health tips.. But only occasionally visit the boards.. Any reason given to this closure?

Replied by Elsaeasterly (Elsewhere, Ca, Usa) on 10/01/2010

Here is a link to the site: http://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/forums/index.html

There was such a wealth of information in the archived forums. It is a huge loss.

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