What are the alternatives to dental implants that I can consider if my jawbone and gums are not suitable for implants?

Doctor's Answers 1

Here are some alternatives to implants:

  • Fixed bridges

The adjacent tooth/teeth are prepared for crowns. The false tooth is fused to the crowns and suspended over the gap.

Bridges are suitable for tooth-bounded spaces (there is at least one suitable tooth at the back end of the space). The tooth/teeth chosen to act as supports (abutments) should be stable.

Bridges can be more difficult to clean, especially if a fixed-fixed design is chosen instead of a cantilever.

  • Dentures

Partial dentures made of plastic (acrylic) or metal (cobalt-chrome) can be used for spaces that do not have a terminal tooth at the back end to support a bridge, or when the space is very large or crosses the midline of the arch.

Dentures are supported by the remaining teeth and the gums. Over time, the pressure of wearing a denture causes shrinkage of the underlying bone and gum creating a gap underneath the denture. The denture must be relined to regain a good fit.

Similar Questions

How do pre-existing dental implants affect orthodontic treatment, since dental implants are fixed and unable to move?

The biggest question that must be answered is what needs correction. If only simple alignment is required, then the implant would not pose a major issue. The implant crown may need remaking after the braces come off since the bite will be altered. If a more drastic correction is required, especially when extractions are part of the treatment plan, implants may be helpful or may pose an issue for space management.

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Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

Why do different dentists disagree on whether I should have a root canal treatment or an extraction and dental implant?

Dentists choose treatment plans based on many different factors. Some of these factors have nothing to do with clinical data. As a patient, your dentist should go through the different treatment options with you so that you understand the treatment itself, and the long term maintenance required with that selection. Keeping the tooth by performing root canal treatment and a crown may mean that the tooth may still crack further and require extraction at a later date.

Photo of Dr Jaclyn Toh

Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

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