Alternative Solutions to Dental Implants
You may be in the market for some kind of modern dental procedure or solution.
First Off: What are Dental Implants? What are They For?
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. The implants themselves generally consist of two parts: the titanium post (looks like a screw that goes in the bone), and the abutment and crown, generally called the tooth (which is what you see in the mouth and eat with).
When you get dental implants, the process generally requires surgery to attach the implant — the titanium post itself — to the jawbone. Then, after a healing period of weeks (or in some cases, months), the titanium implant fuses to the jawbone in a process known as “osseointegration.” Once this process is complete, the implant site and replacement tooth are generally reinforced and secured with the aforementioned abutments.
This is where things get confusing, because not all doctors keep up with current trends…
There are two paths your doctor can take: 1) if the implants are torqued to the manufacturer’s guidelines, the implant can be loaded before placing the abutment and crown. OR, 2) your doctor may decide to wait until the implant is fully osseointegrated. (There’s that word again!)
Dental implants are popular for many reasons, prime among them being that they represent a permanent solution that is more predictable, esthetic, secure, and doesn’t hurt your natural teeth, especially in comparison with other solutions such as full dentures, partial dentures, or dental bridges.
Why Alternatives to Dental Implants?
That being said, there are several reasons why you (or your prosthodontist or other dental specialist) may consider alternatives. For one thing, dental implants do require surgery, and like most surgery, the dental implant procedure is invasive.
Cost can also be a factor: implants can be quite a bit more expensive (at least in the short term) when compared to removable solutions or dental bridges. However, dental bridges and partial dentures often lead to the loss of more teeth.
Lastly, sometimes the patient’s specific dental health situation simply isn’t a good fit for implants. In these cases, your dental specialist may offer some alternatives to dental implants that are better suited to your specific situation. These alternative options may include root canal, bridgework, dentures, or a flipper.
Take it to the Bridge
Bridgework is a viable alternative to full dental implants and may be the best option for some dental health or cosmetic situations. Bridges generally take three forms:
A classic bridge, in which crowns are applied on either side of a missing tooth, and a replacement tooth is seated in between, and the entire structure is bonded to existing teeth
A resin-bonded bridge, in which replacement teeth are attached by specially formulated dental resin, as opposed to using existing teeth for support
A Maryland bridge, which relies on wing-like fixtures on the replacement tooth for attachment to existing teeth as opposed to crowns, is an option that generally does not require injections of anesthetic.
There are also implant-supported bridge versions, which can be ideal in some situations. However, the general rule is that an implant and a natural tooth should not be used for a bridge.
What About Dentures?
Dentures are another popular alternative to dental implants. Dentures come in several varieties, from full dentures to partial dentures to more extensive applications such as implant-supported dentures.
As they are removable appliances, dentures tend to be less expensive than full implant procedures, and because there’s no surgery, the process for acquiring and being fitted for removable dentures is less invasive than implants. Dentures, however, become quite adjustable over time, which may lead to discomfort.
Patients can experience soreness as they get acclimated to wearing the dentures. And the learning curve for getting used to wearing them is a lot steeper than implant dentures (especially for the lower denture). While dentures come with some challenges, they are a suitable alternative to permanent dental implants in many situations.
Flippers! (Not The Swimming Kind)
A specific type of partial denture known as a flipper can offer an alternative solution to implants, but they are generally not considered to be a long-term or permanent solution for the replacement of missing teeth. Flippers have many benefits to consider as a short-term solution, because they are comparatively inexpensive and it does not take nearly as long to fabricate as some other dental appliances. They are also, however, not nearly as stable or durable as the other options, and should usually be considered for short-term interim use in situations involving tooth loss.
Bellaire Modern Dental: For Dental Implant Alternatives in Houston
Bellaire Modern Dental offers the best range of custom solutions for your dental needs in the Houston area. When it comes to replacing missing teeth, what you’re really replacing is your confidence, your smile, and your health. We have the expert providers necessary to help you on that journey. Contact Bellaire Modern Dental today to explore options that are perfectly tailored to your specific needs.
