In this article we talk about dental implant alternatives. Tooth loss is a relatively common issue, especially among adults. This problem will not only affect the beauty of your smile, but also it can cause loss of bone tissue and teeth function. If you lose a tooth or more, you may have considered dental implants alternatives.
Implants are an amazing tooth restoration option with many benefits, but are they the only choice for solving the problem of replacing missing teeth? Of course not! There are also other tooth restoration options like dentures, dental bridges, and orthodontic treatments.
If you want to make a wise choice for your missing teeth restoration option, read this comprehensive article about dental implants and their alternatives and call Langley Dental Group.
Why A Person May Need Dental Implant Alternatives
Getting dental implants is not possible for everyone. One of the reasons that a person may think of implant alternatives, is not being an eligible candidate for dental implants. Inserting dental implants needs a relatively healthy bone structure to avoid implant failure.
Moreover, certain health conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, cancer, and some autoimmune diseases can increase the risk of implant failure. Also, if you are taking some medications like corticosteroids, and bisphosphonates, you should inform your doctor to see if you can get dental implants.
A dental implant consists of a screw-like metal part, an abutment, and a crown which is an artificial tooth. The screw-like part is the implant, which is made of medical-grade titanium.
This dental implant will be inserted into the jawbone surgically, acting as a tooth’s root and making a strong bond between your new artificial tooth and your bone. The abutment is a part that connects the implant to the crown.
The crown is the visible part that works and appears like your natural tooth. Dental Crowns will be custom-made specially for your tooth size and color to look more natural. These custom-made parts are usually made of porcelain which is a durable material perfect for long-lasting results.
Dental Implants Most Common Alternatives
Although dental implants are a good choice to fill the empty space of missing teeth, there are also other teeth restoration alternatives with specific advantages. Here are some of the dental implant alternatives explained:
Dentures
Dentures are removable prostheses that can replace your missing teeth. there are two types of dentures, complete and partial. Complete dentures are used when someone loses all of their teeth and needs a whole set of artificial teeth. on the other hand, partial dentures are used when there are some remaining teeth to keep.
Dentures are custom-made so the dentist will make impressions of your jaw to evaluate the denture’s exact size and shape. After that, they create a model of the denture to see if they are perfectly fit. Then, the final denture will be made in the laboratory. These artificial teeth will be placed on the jaw and perform like natural teeth. Also, their appearance is tooth-like and their color will be like natural teeth.
Dentures might feel uncomfortable at first, by this issue will go away after a few weeks. Dentures may not be as strong, comfortable, and natural-looking as dental implants, but they will cost you less and they don’t need any surgery to put on.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are another option to replace one or more missing teeth. these bridges will be used when there are healthy teeth at the sides of the empty space of missing teeth. These prosthesis pieces will be attached to the healthy teeth to benefit from their support and fill the gap between them caused by tooth loss.
Dental bridges are custom-made just like dentures. Their procedure and the material used are also quite similar but bridges can cost less than dentures as they can cover less space. Just like dentures, dental bridges are not as strong and durable as dental implants.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment can be used for some cases with a small gap caused by the missing tooth. With orthodontic treatment, the dentist is able to move the teeth positions in order to fill the empty space caused by tooth loss. This treatment cannot be used for everyone. In the first step, the dentist will determine if you are an eligible candidate for orthodontic treatment depending on your issue and some other factors like your overall oral and dental health.
Dental bridges
Dental bridges are a type of dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth fused to crowns that are cemented onto adjacent teeth. This bridge not only restores your smile but also helps maintain your facial structure and prevents the remaining teeth from shifting.
Root canal treatment
A root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to treat a tooth with severe decay or infection. When the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth, becomes infected, it can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Cost of Dental Implants vs. Their Alternatives
When it comes to cost of dental implants may seem more at first. But because of their durability, and not needing further appointments to the dentist, they are considered as a cost-effective option in the long run.
Dentures and dental bridges are less expensive than dental implants making them an affordable option for teeth restoration.
Orthodontic treatments can be a bit costly, but they can cure a wide range of dental issues besides filling the gap of a missing tooth. If you have several dental issues like teeth misalignment and gaps, orthodontics treatment can be cost-effective for you.
How To Choose the Best Dental Restoration Option
The best dental restoration option is the one that is chosen wisely according to your needs and expectations. All dental restoration options like implants, dentures, bridges, and orthodontics have their own benefits and drawbacks. If you want a long-lasting option that has the ability to preserve your bone structure and look just like your natural teeth, dental implants can be perfect for you.
If you are seeking a less expensive option, you can choose dental bridge and denture depending on the number of missing teeth. Orthodontics treatment can be a good option when you have a small gap between your teeth caused by a lost tooth, and you also need teeth alignment.
We recommend you have a consultation session with an experienced dentist before making a choice. The dentist will check your overall health and your dental condition and after considering your needs and expectations, tell you which treatment is the best for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dental implants atletnatives are one of the best options for missing tooth restoration. However, not all people are eligible candidates to have dental implants or the initial price may be a matter for some people. in this case, choosing a good implant alternative between available options becomes important. Dentures, dental bridges, and orthodontics treatments are the most common implant alternatives. To choose one of these implant alternatives, we recommend you consult an experienced dentist to evaluate your dental condition and your expectations.
FAQ
What is the best alternative to an implant?
Dental bridges, dentures, and orthodontic treatment are the most common tooth implant alternatives. Choosing between these alternatives depends on your condition, expectations, and the number of missing teeth. For example, if you lost all of your teeth or most of them, dentures can be a good option for you but if you missed a tooth or two and you have other dental issues like misalignment, orthodontic treatment is a good choice as it can both fill the gap and align your remaining teeth.
How can I replace my teeth without implants?
Dental bridges and dentures are common options for replacing missing teeth without implants.
What if I don’t want a dental implant?
If you don’t want implants, consider dental bridges or dentures as alternatives to replace missing teeth.
