Periodontal Disease: What is the Better Option a Bridge or a Dental Implant?
I have periodontal disease and am in the process of undergoing the deep gum cleaning. I recently had to have a bottom molar #19 extracted, because it was broken underneath the gumline. My periodonist said that within four or five months, after getting my gum disease under control, she would refer me an oral surgeon, to replace the tooth with a dental implant. Alternatively, my periodontist told me that I could replace it with a bridge. It was up to me. My question is, given my periodontal disease, what is the better option for me, and implant or a bridge? If I go with the implant, and if it fails, would I have another options afterwards ? I have read that if a implant fails, you cannot replace it with a bridge later.
2 Comments on Periodontal Disease: What is the Better Option a Bridge or a Dental Implant?
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Dr. Edward Kusek
11/12/2015
I would agree with Dr Tischler. But you need to own your disease, which means your home care needs to be very good. If you continue to have poor home care, you will have problems either it be a bridge or implant. Traditional speaking if you have poor oral home care you could see bone loss around a implant. Being said, if your home care is poor around the bridge you could lose the supporting teeth for the bridge also, then you would be left with little options.I personally feel the implant is the best way to go, but you need to be motivated to change some of your bad habits!
Dr. Edward Kusek
Dr. Michael Tischler
11/12/2015
The literature shows that a dental implant has a longer success rate than a bridge. The benefit of a dental implant is that it not only doesn’t involve compromising the adjacent teeth, it also doesn’t put stress on them as a bridge does.. If a dental implant fails, another implant could be placed or a bridge could be done. The likelihood of that happening is small though. As long as your gum disease is under control a dental implant is generally your best option.
Dr. Michael Tischler
