Dr. Jacquie
"Dr. Jacquie is is a highly skilled, trained engineer, neurobiologist and board-certified doctor of dental surgery from a top institution in Texas.
She is both the owner and head doctor at Tacoma's fasting growing five-star reviewed private dental practice. In this article, she provides the honest truth about tooth replacement options without any gimmicks as a personal goal to bring freedom of medical information to help inform the public."
One of the greatest moment of the day is when my patients smile again.
Let's Talk About Tooth Replacement
When it comes to replacing missing or damaged teeth, my patients have several options to consider, each with its own set of advantages such as material strength, time commitments, costs and potential medical risks.
Each options comes with its own set of advantages such as material strength, time commitments, costs, and potential medical risks.
Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about which option is best suited to your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Let's delve into the specifics of tooth implants, dentures, dental crowns, and bridges.
Let's Talk About Dental Bridges
Dental Bridges are often the quickest and lower cost option for my patients. These provide a cost effective short-medium term option for patients who are saving up for implants or who may be at high risk of implant failure.
I will consider these alternatives for patients with financial constraints or health issues Senior citizen patients and patients with pre existing conditions may be at higher risk of implant failure and benefit from these options as well. Other times, may patients an medical bills and family obligations and want an option that allows the to both smile and save money.
Bridges
Bridges provide more durability and may even help provide some support chewing.
It is important to highlight that conventional bridges may require the removal of healthy teeth for attachment, which can lead to additional health risks.
In contrast, Maryland bridges involve less invasive procedures and protect healthy teeth by bonding the bridge to a single healthy tooth. Dr. Sander always strives to minimize costs for you while safeguarding as many natural teeth as possible.
It's important to understand, sometimes bridges require grinding down healthy teeth in order to "bond" the bridge which comes with its own set of medical concerns.
Maryland bridges involve less invasive procedures and protect healthy teeth by bonding the bridge to a single healthy tooth.Â
If possible, I recommend Maryland bridges because they are less expensive to the patient and involve almost zero surgery and save as much tooth structure as possible. They are certainly not as strong as implants or crown anchored bridges but may be a good temporary option or option for those at high risk of implant failure.
It really all comes down to saving healthy teeth and also working within the patients financials goals.
Materials: Like crowns, bridges can be made from porcelain, ceramics, or metal alloys, depending on the location and aesthetic requirements.
Time Commitment: The process usually requires two to three visits over a few weeks to prepare the anchoring teeth, fit the bridge, and make necessary adjustments. Maryland bridges can be done in a singular visit.
Cost: Bridges typically cost less than implants but more than dentures. The price depends on the bridge's size and the materials used.
Medical Risks: Potential risks include damage to the teeth that serve as anchors for the bridge, decay under the bridge if not properly maintained, and the need for replacement if the bridge fails. Marlyand bridges are minimally invasive and the biggest risk is they may come unbonded resulting in a quick visit to the dentist.
Let's Talk About Tooth Implants
Dental implants can be great long-term solution. When done correctly, they provide the most durable option while also helping to keep your jaw bone from receding.
Many people come to Dr. Jacquie thinking dental implants are an easy fix because of much of the marketing, but the truth is is takes a longer time commitment, potentially major surgery that can involve anesthesia and bone grafts and there is a higher risk of failure and infection in older patients.
It's also said to say, that many patients don't realize implants can fail, resulting in more surgery and cost
It's also said to say, that many of my patients don't realize implants can fail, resulting in more surgery. I often tell people implants have more parts and complexity and like anything with more parts, more things can break and go wrong.
The implant involves the "implant" which is somewhat like a wall anchor used to hang decoration on your dry wall. The implant screws into bone and the bone needs to heal around the implant. If you have thin bone or infection, you may need more surgery to remove the infection or add more bone using a bone graft.
There are many reason why your bone may not heal around the implant, the bone may become infected and often the entire implant must be removed. The crown screws into the implant and can crack or biting down may put torque onto the implant if placed incorrectly causing the bone to damage.
My husband had failed implants (not from mer) and he would not do it again, and I've helped numerous patients who have had failed implants placed from inexperienced doctors in the USA and Mexico.
However, with the right periodontist and oral surgeon and cosmetic dentist implants are a great long-term option.
However, with the right periodontist or oral surgeon and cosmetic dentist implants may be a great option.
A properly positioned dental implant can lead to improved longevity, help support a bridge, and reduce bone loss in the jaw caused by a missing tooth.
Materials: Dental implants are typically made from titanium, a material known for its durability and biocompatibility, allowing it to fuse with bone over time.
Time Commitment: The process can take several months, as it requires the jawbone to heal around the implant before the crown can be placed.
Cost: Implants are generally the most expensive option due to the surgical procedure and materials used. Costs can vary widely but expect to invest significantly.
Medical Risks: While success rates are high, risks include infection, damage to other teeth or blood vessels, nerve damage, and sinus problems if implants in the upper jaw protrude into sinus cavities.
Let's Talk About Dentures
Dentures are always a last option. I never want to remove teeth if I don't need to. Losing teeth can affect the jaw bone, it can affect your ability to "feel" pain and pressure from the nerves in your teeth.
Most importantly dentures are often a hard emotional journey for my patients as they learn to age.
Most importantly dentures are often a hard emotional journey for my patients as they learn to age.
When the timing is appropriate, I might suggest various options like bridges, partials, or full dentures.
Many of my patients come to me in pain or talk about "bonding" the denture in so they don't slip out.
It's worth noting that high-quality dentures should seldom dislodge and typically do not require any adhesive. A skilled dentist can ensure a denture fits so well that it rarely needs additional support, except perhaps when sneezing.
I usually see, sub-par denture from Denturists in the area because they are not trained in re-shaping the bone and mouth properly. Good dentures require both creating great dentures and also shaping the bone and mouth in a way that allows the denture to fit naturally. Unfortunately, denturist are typically not certified to perform these surgeries in the mouth which results in dentures that cause patients pain and discomfort.
Following a visit with me and taking the necessary steps, patients often find it pleasantly surprising how much easier it becomes for them to eat again.
My new patients don't realize that well made dentures should rarely fall out and should rarely need any "bond"
Materials: Dentures can be made from various materials, including acrylic resin for the teeth and a flexible polymer or metal base.
Time Commitment: The process of getting dentures can be relatively quick, often taking a few weeks to a few months for complete or partial dentures.
Cost: Dentures are a more affordable option than implants but may need to be replaced every 5 to 8 years.
Medical Risks: Potential issues include irritation of the gums, problems eating or speaking, and the need for regular adjustments to ensure a proper fit.
Making an Informed Choice
When deciding among implants, dentures, crowns, and bridges, it's important to weigh not just the cost but also the time required, the anticipated durability of the treatment, and the impact each choice will have on your everyday routine.
There's a big marketing push out there right now to "sell you crowns" and "sell you dental implants" and it's important to be aware of the marketing gimmicks and get a second opinion.
To give you an insider's perspective, Dentists make the most money from dental implants, then full dentures and then bridges and partial dentures. This means for some business, they are financially motivated to increase profits and lean towards implants.
It's not that implants are a bad choice or the dentists are lying to you, but more so that other options exist which allow patients to provide for their families, cover other medical expenses etc. etc.
I think it's important to consult with a dental professional for evaluating your individual needs and assisting you in making decisions based on your overall oral health, preferences, and financial circumstances.
If someone only provides you one option, that should be a red flag to get a second opinion.
If someone only provides you one option, that should be a red flag to get a second opinion.
Ultimately, the ideal choice will involve finding a balance among these factors to effectively restore both the functionality and aesthetics of your teeth while staying within a budget that prevents the patient from incurring debt.
Ultimately, the right choice will depend on a balance of these factors, aiming to restore both the function and appearance of your teeth effectively within a budget that allows the patient to stay out of debt.
Dr. Sanders (Owner Dentist)
"Dr. Jacquie is is a highly skilled, trained engineer, neurobiologist and board certified doctor of dental surgery from a top institution in Texas.
She is both the owner and head doctor at Tacoma's fasting growing five-star reviewed private dental practice. In this article, she provides the honest truth about tooth replacement options without any gimmicks as a personal goal to bring freedom of medical information to help inform the public. "