DENTAL IMPLANT VS. BRIDGE OR PARTIAL DENTURE
Couple days ago, one patient came our office, Peter Do DDS, Escondido Dentist, for an emergency. She had a broken tooth that caused constant throbbing pain. The tooth had severe cavities that passed the gum line and reached the bone. The tooth needed to be extracted. The patient was very concerned about the space once the tooth extracted since it was one of the front teeth. What were her options? Well there are a few options to replace missing teeth:
Option 1 - implant placement and crown
Option 2 - bridge that connected the two adjacent teeth
Option 3 - Removable partial denture
Which option would be the best option and why? All options would work; however, each option has its own bro and con. Let's discuss each option in detail.
Option 1 - implant placement and crown
Advantage: Long lasting, permanent restoration (no need to take it in and out everyday), not involved with adjacent teeth, reserve the
bone level, esthetic
Disadvantage: Initial cost
Option 2 - bridge
Advantage: Permanent restoration (no need to take it in and out everyday), initial cost is cheaper than implant, option 1.
Disadvantage: Involved adjacent teeth. If one of the adjacent teeth has problem, the bridge needs to be cut off. Patient has to pay for
a new bridge. In this case, the patient has to pay twice for the bridge. The bridge also does not reserve the bone level
at the extraction site.
Option 3 - Removable partial denture
Advantage: Cheapest treatment option among the three options.
Disadvantage: Inconvenient, does not reserve the bone level at the extraction site, not esthetic.
We have to look at the short and long term advantages of these options. As a conservative dentist, I always look at the long term advantages and effects of these options. It clearly shows that option 1 has the most advantages and has a longest life span comparing to other options. On the flip side, it has the highest initial cost (not that much more than the bridge). I know what I would choose. How about you? Which option would you choose?
Please call Dr. Peter Do, Escondido dentist, at 760-746-2525 if you have any questions.
Hello, My name is Dr. Peter Do. Welcome to my new website! This is my very first blog post. I will be updating this page with new blogs, news, updates and what ever else may come to mind!
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