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06-06-2025LAST POST
A bridge is harder to keep clean especially if it's not in front.
JJ 911SC wroteThanks. That’s helpful because those are exactly the issues I was thinking about. Do I really want to mess with 2 good teeth and deal with cleaning between teeth under the bridge? Sucks to think about the timeline for the implant but it’s probably the right thing.I got both. A one tooth bridge and 2 single implants. If the teeth on each side of the missing one are in good shape and look good, get an implant.
A bridge is harder to keep clean especially if it's not in front.
RickFLM4 wroteIt is the right thing... You won't regret it....Sucks to think about the timeline for the implant but it’s probably the right thing.
sspade wroteThis is also a molar and I have given some thought to not replacing it as it is doubtful it would be visible. But I use it a lot for chewing so most likely it will be replaced. (Have had a crown since root canal 15-ish year ago.). But agree it’s an option and both my dad and wife have suggested I take that approach.I would like to add that depending on location, you can also choose to pull tooth without replacement. One of my rear molars was shattered into a few pieces about 15 years ago (by a direct impact) and I chose to remove without replacement. At this point Im happy with my decision and not sure how that would change in the coming years. Of course, if this were a visible gap in my smile or whatever... then I would have had an implant.
They've really improved the technology-- I can't really tell that my most recent implant isn't a real tooth.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: When you get the tooth extracted, you'll want the doc to pack the socket with pulverized bone (bone graft)-- this is ESSENTIAL-- the powdered bone prevents resorption, so you won't end up with a depression in the side of the jaw as the bone heals the hole where the tooth was.
They hadn't quite figured that out when I got my first implant-- and I have a noticeable concavity on the inside of my upper jaw due to that. The second one was packed with a bone graft and the results are far superior.
I'd get an implant over a bridge every time.
R.
Had a bridge onto upper left side, covering 2-3 up to 2-7. Last year in end of april I suffered a heavy inflammation beneath the 2-7 and the bridge had to come out completely, because in between were no teeth left, implants were the only solution.
Got 2 at 2-4 and 2-6 of them in October last year, heal and cure time until beginning of april this year, due to a very close schedule the toothbridge got inserted at the beginning of May.
The insertion was a pain in the ass as the constuct were taken into the lower located studs with small screws and the gum got compressed the first time since years, this burning lasts a few hours and disappeard then.
After a few days I had increased the load as told by the surgeon and my dentist and meanwhile Im happy as could been with this decision.
Murf993 wroteThat’s a terrible story - sorry to hear. Was this a top tooth or a bottom tooth?My wife had a dental implant done a few years ago. Seems like a common procedure and nothing to worry about. About two years after it was done it broke. The tooth came of and the post has snapped. She has seen a number of specialists and the repair that needs to be done is of concern. The dentist who did the initial work has backpedaled and basically left her high and dry. The fix seems to be surgery to remove the post and surrounding bone, let it heal and then do another implant. She is not happy, the thing has pretty much healed now. She isn't sure she wants to get it repaired but not sure she should leave it as is. I'm not suggesting that you don't get an implant just sharing an odd outcome. I believe the implant she got was some newer technology using a smaller post and that may have been the problem. Good luck either way.
Since my post, I haven’t had any further deterioration around the crown and x-rays seem ok for now. My dentist has told me we can sit tight on removing it and replacing it with an implant. For now. But even though I am not rushing into it, I know this will come up again at some point so appreciate the feedback.
RickFLM4 wroteBottom left, just ahead of the molars I believe.That’s a terrible story - sorry to hear. Was this a top tooth or a bottom tooth?
Since my post, I haven’t had any further deterioration around the crown and x-rays seem ok for now. My dentist has told me we can sit tight on removing it and replacing it with an implant. For now. But even though I am not rushing into it, I know this will come up again at some point so appreciate the feedback.
When considering a single tooth replacement, several factors come into play. Location? Sure. If it is the last tooth in the arch, you're pretty much going to have to go with an implant since a bridge requires a tooth on either side of the gap.
Second, what is the condition of the teeth on either side of the gap? Do they already have large fillings in them? Is one or both of them root canal treated? Or are they vrigin teeth? If the teeth are already heavily restored (with or without root canal) then a case could be made for a fixed conventional bridge (two crowns with a fake tooth stuck in the middle) since the adjacent teeth may already be candidates for crowns anyway. Kind of killing two birds with one stone. If you're dealing with virgin teeth, the reduction required to accomodate the crowns that will serve as abutments to the bridge will be significant. In that case, I would definitely recommend an implant supported crown. Would I recommend to someone to get the crowns separately on the adjacent teeth and an implant supported crown to replace the missing tooth. Absolutely. As mentioned before, the implant supported crown is easier to maintain than a bridge. Flossing under a bridge is difficult whereas flossing around an implant supported crown is the same as flossing around a natural tooth.
Hope this answers some questions that the group might have. And yes, I am a dentist and, coincidentally, I had to replaced a tooth some years ago with an implant. I don't really give it a second thought. I brush and floss like I always did. The most important thing is, make sure you trust the person who is putting it in and don't cheap out. It's expensive but this isn't just some aftermarket part you're considering putting on your car. This is something that is being implanted into your body and should last the duration.
In addition, this is on top where I do not have enough bone available to get an implant. I've been coping with my two-tooth gap for several years now and I don't feel it impacts my chewing that much. I do have the rearmost tooth left on that side (the "lone ranger") that seems to do OK. Both my periodontist/implant specialist and general dentist are pushing me to get a bridge and I think I'm finally going to give in after a year of putting it off.Complicating matters (it's always something, huh?) my single-tooth implant on the other side has been on and off painful on the facial side below the tooth for a couple of weeks. An infection in the lower jaw bone where the implant is? Is the implant on my "good" side now going to fail?
Dang3r wroteThose are Straumann Bone Level implants, and are one of the best available. As long as you keep up with good home care they will last a very long time.This thread has past me as it becomes important for OP, so my few cents to this:
Had a bridge onto upper left side, covering 2-3 up to 2-7. Last year in end of april I suffered a heavy inflammation beneath the 2-7 and the bridge had to come out completely, because in between were no teeth left, implants were the only solution.
Got 2 at 2-4 and 2-6 of them in October last year, heal and cure time until beginning of april this year, due to a very close schedule the toothbridge got inserted at the beginning of May.
The insertion was a pain in the ass as the constuct were taken into the lower located studs with small screws and the gum got compressed the first time since years, this burning lasts a few hours and disappeard then.
After a few days I had increased the load as told by the surgeon and my dentist and meanwhile Im happy as could been with this decision.
dewittking wroteThe most generic answer possible.Both dental implants and bridges are common solutions for replacing missing teeth.
The decision between a dental implant and a bridge will depend on your specific situation and dental advice. It's important to consider your budget, oral health, and long-term goals when making this decision.
ErnestButcher wroteI smell a spammer.....Hey there! It's great to hear that you're doing your research and exploring your options for replacing a missing tooth. While both dental implants and bridges can be effective solutions, it's important to consider the pros and cons of each before making a decision.
Oldgixxer wroteOr two...I smell a spammer.....
. An x-ray showed no rot and after a bit more drill skimming of the repair dentist said it was due to nerve root being moved, it's the longest she has ever seen!
But now it's nearly back to normal and no pain anymore.
