Many people have concerns about dental implants, from the treatment process to the recovery time and more. Patients at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Phoenix often ask us about dental implant alternatives. Some alternative treatment options can even be more appropriate or less expensive than dental implants in certain situations. Whether you decide on dental implants or an alternative treatment, we’ll help you find the option that’s right for you.
Three Dental Implant Alternatives
1. Gum Disease Treatment
If you have a loose tooth because of gum disease, there may be a chance that it can be saved with gum surgery. However, if the tooth is beyond help, gum surgery may not be the best choice. Reversal of gum disease has a lower success rate than dental implants, which look and act like normal teeth. If you are concerned about the success of gum surgery for periodontal disease, a dental implant may be a better choice.
2. Root Canal Therapy
If you’re facing dental implants because of an infection deep inside the tooth, root canal therapy is a potential alternative. Root canal therapy involves cleaning out the inside of the tooth, and it allows you to keep your natural tooth. However, if the root of your tooth is damaged beyond repair, a root canal will not be a viable treatment. Badly infected teeth can pose serious health risks, and may require extraction.
3. Dental Bridge
Dental bridges function similarly to dental implants but do not require surgery. A dental bridge replaces a missing tooth and is held in place by crowns on the neighboring teeth. You can eat and speak regularly with dental bridges but they lack one important quality that dental implants provide: the ability to stimulate your gums and jawbone. Without this stimulation, you may find that your gums collapse underneath the dental bridge. In addition, a bridge requires invasive surgery to your neighboring (and sometimes healthy) teeth. If you’re worried about sacrificing a neighboring tooth for a bridge, a dental implant is a better option. Today, standard of care for replacement of a missing tooth is always a dental implant and not a bridge.
Dental Implants at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Phoenix
While some patients may be decent candidates for dental implant alternatives, implants are often the best option! Dental implants offer the safest, most natural looking, and longest-lasting way to deal with infected or missing teeth. To find if dental implants are the right option for you, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
Dental bridges can last anywhere from five to fifteen years. Dental implants, on the other hand, may last twenty-five years or more. The longevity of your dental device depends on your care and maintenance once your procedure has been completed. Bridges and implants need to be cleaned and cared for just like your natural teeth.