Implant or Bridge? Help! - Dental Health Message Board

gf · 11-19-2003, 07:56 AM

I hope someone out there can help me. I've got to decide whether I should have a bridge or an implant tooth. My dentist has told me that it's up to me. I have dental insurance but my dentist said it will usually not cover implants, but this is what he recommends for me. This is a front tooth (I think #8) so I'm very nervous about making this decision. This tooth has had a failed root canal and a failed apicoectomy. Does anyone have positive or negative experiences with either procedure? I'll appreciate any input!

Kimmysathm · 11-19-2003, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gf

I hope someone out there can help me. I've got to decide whether I should have a bridge or an implant tooth. My dentist has told me that it's up to me. I have dental insurance but my dentist said it will usually not cover implants, but this is what he recommends for me. This is a front tooth (I think #8) so I'm very nervous about making this decision. This tooth has had a failed root canal and a failed apicoectomy. Does anyone have positive or negative experiences with either procedure? I'll appreciate any input!

See my post below about Implants!

Kimmy

carolcrone · 12-31-2003, 12:27 PM

Don't know if you've already had the problem fixed from Nov., but here's what happened to me when faced with the same choice. Even tho my dental insurance would've paid for a bridge and not the implant, I went with the $1500 implant. I couldn't justify grinding the 2 teeth on either side & crowning them for the bridge, plus you have to consider that you might lose those 2 teeth also, due to excess stress placed on them. The insurance ended up covering the extraction of the bad tooth, plus 50% of the 1 crown on the implant. As far as pain, putting in the implant was a piece of cake compared to the extraction. I only took Advil for the first day. The whole setup cost a lot of $, yes, but it looks & feels like a real tooth (and is easier to clean than a bridge). They say 10% of implants fail within 10 years, so I hope mine lasts. Good luck.

Blondie9 · 12-31-2003, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gf

I hope someone out there can help me. I've got to decide whether I should have a bridge or an implant tooth. My dentist has told me that it's up to me. I have dental insurance but my dentist said it will usually not cover implants, but this is what he recommends for me. This is a front tooth (I think #8) so I'm very nervous about making this decision. This tooth has had a failed root canal and a failed apicoectomy. Does anyone have positive or negative experiences with either procedure? I'll appreciate any input!

Implant! I had meningitis when I was 13 and it infected my back teeth. In those days, 1970's, they simply pulled my back teeth out. So, in my 30's, I had implants put in, four in total. They are perfect and function as real teeth. I've had them for 12 years now, no problems. Then I had a situation where I opted for a bridge. Well that bridge broke after 5 years, and I now have to wear a partial, because 3 teeth are damaged without hope of repair. I'm just waiting to book my appt. for 2 implants, to which they will fasten 3 "teeth". I can't wait. Go implant. You won't be sorry. Honest. Good luck and enjoy your final look.

marionf · 01-02-2004, 11:41 AM

implant sounds good to me.