When a person loses one or more teeth, that individual has a number of dental treatment options.

         They can delay treatment until a more convenient time. 

         They can opt for a dental bridge. 

         You can invest in the very best option, which is cosmetic dental implant.

Dental bridges have been used in general dentistry for decades.  While technology has improved over the years, dental bridges still have their advantages and their disadvantages.  The two alternatives to dental bridges (delayed treatment and implants) also have their fair share of advantages and disadvantagesparticularly in certain financial respects.

It helps the individual make the very best possible decision if he or she will consider all of the advantages and disadvantages to treatment before choosing a course of action.

Delayed treatment is the route that an increasing number of people are taking because of our current economy.  Most people assume they should save their money now and seek dental care when they can more comfortably spend the money on dental services.   Even people with dental insurance are making this choice in order to save themselves money on co pays.

This is a very risky path to take, and can cause a person to lose money in the long run as opposed to saving it.  If a problem becomes so severe that more expensive options are needed to treat it, then the individual ends up paying more than he or she would have if a dentist had been seen earlier.   

This is because a missing tooth will cause surrounding teeth to shift.  Over time, the bite will change.  This will cause surrounding teeth to become loose.  These teeth can also fall out if left untreated.

A dental bridge is an affordable and reasonable way to replace one or more missing teeth and keep surrounding teeth in alignment. The bridge attaches securely to the supporting teeth. They are dependable, look very attractive, and are easy to clean.

The biggest disadvantage to a bridge is the need to anchor it to natural teeth.  This will cause it to wear on enamel and damage those teeth in the process. 

A partial denture is a very affordable alternative to a dental bridge.  It will work well if multiple teeth are missing in the mouth because it fills in the spaces and prevents surrounding teeth from moving out of alignment.

Partials have their disadvantages, though.  They are not as strong as natural teeth and limit food choices for patients.  Many of the cheaper dentures make annoying sounds when a person chews, and all partials have to be removed and cleaned at times. 

All things considered, dental implants are the best alternative to dental bridges if the patient has sufficient bone mass to implant them.  Dental implants are intended to be permanent and completely assume the function of natural teeth.   

An implant with a crown will also replace a tooth, and it does not require the dentist to work on the teeth next to the space.  Implants will also stop bone loss and require surgery. Treatment time is somewhat longer, but the outcome is cosmetically superior.