Question:
This isn't exactly the place for advice oo dental problems, but I hope
someone here will have experience and advice to offer. A few days ago the
dentist pulled ooe of my husbands bottom front incisors. He goes back to
see the dentist in a couple of weeks, and will have to decide what to
have done. How much fuss and time and work is involved in installing a
replacement tooth and a bridge? He was told it would cost in the $500
range. We can afford it, with the help of insurance. It shows when he
talks and he doesn't like the idea of being a gap-toothed old man. On the
other hand, he doesn't enjoy having things done that involve lots of
appointments, discomfort, and possibly end up with something that will
hurt and be nuisance. Just what is a "bridge", how is it installed, and
woould anybody have any advice pro or con about the procedure?
Answer:
I had a bridge about 10 yrs ago and would never get another bridge,
if I had another alternative. When you get a bridge you must file
down the two other teeth- on either side of the missing tooth.
If something happens to one of these teeth- then u loose the bridge-
that's what happened to me.
A bridge looks like 3 teeth and spans the missing one -the space.
It fits over the two other teeth- but those teeth are filed down- basically
ruined for anything else- you must always have the bridge on them or
a cap.
I would have an implant if I were your husband- It may be more- but
worth it in the long run - cause u wouldnt be messing
up / involving the other 2 teeth.
Also, I dont know where your dentist
is at but I dont think $500 is the going price for bridges.
I'd say more like $1500 - to - $2,000.
I paid around $1,000 and that was 10 yrs ago.
You could probably do a search on the net and find some
photos or drawings explaining bridges... as well as implants.
I had my left incisor replaced with a bridge about 8 years ago. The most
unpleasant part of the whole process was having to bite into the
plaster-like substance used for making the impression for the bridge. Having
the bridge itself installed (mine is permanently glued to the teeth on
either side) took an hour or so and wasn't especially uncomfortable or
unpleasant. The bridge looks perfect and I'm told it should last
indefinitely. There is a bit of special maintenance involved: I have to use
a little plastic loop called a floss threader in order to floss between the
top of the bridge tooth and gum. This takes a matter of perhaps 30 seconds a
day.
Then I definitely didn't have an implant. I believe the replacement tooth is
somehow glued on the sides to the teeth that adjoin it. Trust me, it's not
huge and it's not improperly aligned. It looks exactly like a natural tooth.
I do recall my dentist telling me at the time that if I ever needed another
bridge to insist on this same technique, whatever it is. So that's making me
think there must be two very different types of bridges: the kind you
evidently have experience with, and mine.
We need a dental professional to hop in here and clarify what we lay people
are talking about.
