56 STYLE HEALTH
Replacing old bridges with
IMPLANTS If you need to replace a missing tooth, there are alternatives to a fixed bridge today. Here, dental and implant surgeon Dr Jean Paul Demajo highlights why implants could be the perfect solution.
T
he most popular way to replace a missing tooth used to be with a fixed bridge. That procedure would involve trimming one or more teeth on either side of the missing tooth, and fixing a conventional metal-ceramic bridge to each of the supporting teeth. The bridge literally bridges the gap with a suspended tooth in the middle of the supporting teeth.
Dr Jean Paul Demajo, Dental and Implant Surgeon
There are advantages to this, namely: • It’s quick • It looks good • It has a very good track record • It is strong and reliable • And, it is cheaper than implants. However there are disadvantages too, namely: • The lifetime of a bridge is dependent on the supporting teeth • If supporting teeth fail, the bridge fails too and will need replacing • Trimming the teeth causes irreversible loss of healthy tooth tissue • Your supporting teeth may require a root canal treatment • The area of missing tooth below the bridge will continue to lose bone • The bridge may need changing after around 10 years • Maintaining good hygiene below the bridge may be difficult.
Today, the most widely-recognised method for replacing missing teeth is through dental implants. This involves the insertion of a fixture or screw in the jaw. Once healed, a tooth is attached onto it. It is a method that may be utilised to replace single or multiple missing teeth. Similarly, there are both advantages and disadvantages to dental implants. The advantages are: • The implant will be independent from other teeth • Implants have a very good track record • They help maintain bone and thus reduce bone loss • The aesthetics are very good. The disadvantages are that: • The procedure is expensive • It is not suitable for every patient • Oral hygiene must be well kept • It involves surgery • The treatment can take a long time to execute • It is a sensitive procedure. It is important to know that not every patient is a good candidate for bridges – and the same actually applies for implants. Make time to understand your options and listen to your physician’s advice about what is best for you! Ask your dentist. n