When an individual loses a tooth because of poor oral care or other causes, replacing it as soon as possible is necessary. Most people make a mistake by believing this is just a cosmetic problem. But when you scratch the surface, you shall see that it triggers various problems.
So, the natural set of events is to seek the most appropriate method of restorative dentistry. The first choice many have is known as dental implants. They have proven themselves as the most efficient ones. However, dental implants cost can make people seek alternatives. But what about the alternatives to this method? Today, we want to address the most important alternatives you should consider.
Classic Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis utilized when one or more teeth are missing. It can cover the entire array of teeth or fill the gaps in certain parts. To do it properly, you need existing teeth to use them as a foundation. As you can presume, the remaining teeth require some preparation before this is possible.
The technician will produce the structure containing all the artificial teeth, each having a crown on top of each of them. To make it fit, the technician requires strong dental glue. That way, the structure will be as solid as possible and will not cause any disruption, which is usually highly uncomfortable for the patient.
Thankfully, this is not a procedure that requires the patient to wait a long time before the whole procedure is done. The classic dental bridge is usually complete in just a few days. But, surely, the case’s complexity will dictate how much time the dentist will need to finish it.
Dentures
Different from many other options, dentures are removable. Besides that, they share numerous similarities with them. For example, they are natural-looking and comfortable. Therefore, you can choose between a couple of different sorts. Naturally, the choice depends on how complex the problem is and an opinion of a professional.
Let’s check out all the possibilities.
- Full Dentures: As the name of the type says, full dentures are the approach utilized in situations when a patient has lost all the teeth. In some cases, the professional will opt for it when the existing teeth are decaying, and curing them becomes too complex for various reasons.
- Implanted-supported Dentures: Patients with a problem with denture stability or bite function might be advised to choose implanted-supported dentures. That way, the patient gets these two aspects significantly improved. The only condition is that the jawbone is completely healthy.
- Partial Dentures: Finally, partial dentures are an appropriate option for cases when the patient has more or more teeth missing. Professionals use gum-colored bases to make these. Plus, they are attached to the existing teeth as a foundation. Depending on the case, there will be a need for crowns to increase their efficiency.
All-on-4
All-on-4 is an alternative technique useful when the complete set of teeth is about to be replaced. But, of course, the same goes for both the upper and lower set. The reason why number 4 is mentioned in the concept is that four implants are placed in the jawbone to stimulate roots.
These implants are a foundation for the structure, which is, you will agree, bigger than just a denture used for one missing tooth. At the same time, they serve as a stimulator for the jawbone to grow in the future. The most important thing to point out about this one is that it makes the most of even the lowest bone density.
As a result, even a patient whose case is complex will not require invasive surgeries, like bone grafting surgery. But, as with numerous other options, this one also requires some preparation. So, the patient needs to visit the dentist’s office at least once or twice before the plan is made in great detail.
Flipper
Not all the solutions to the problem of missing teeth are permanent. Among the temporary options, you will find a thing such as a flipper. We are talking about a temporary partial denture attached to the sides of the place where a tooth used to be. It relies on the mouth’s palate, ensuring that the existing teeth will not start drifting.
While this may sound like a complex and uncomfortable option, it is the opposite of that. Therefore, those who are hesitant to opt for this solution should not have any fear of this sort. Flippers are a good option when we’re talking about emergencies, and they will help until a permanent solution is decided upon.
Non-Surgical Implants
One of the reasons why many people are hesitant about getting dental implants is that the recovery process tends to be long. A perfect alternative for this approach is known as non-surgical implants. With this approach, the recovery process is minimal, and the procedure is much less complicated.
The process of implementing these is quite short. In most cases, the technician can complete it in only one appointment. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the preparation process is unnecessary in this case. The time needed for the preparation process differs from case to case. There’s no magic formula that fits all the cases.
Using modern technologies such as 3D imaging, the technician can scan the bone structure and map it correctly. With the whole map in front of the technician, the non-surgical implants will fall in line completely and will not cause discomfort for the patient. Sure, the patient will check whether the bite is as good and accurate as it needs to be.
Load Implants
Last but not least, we want to talk about dental crowns. These crowns are made with only one goal: to cover all the existing teeth and provide them with proper protection. As a result, they have widely considered the cheapest alternatives to dental implants and some other, more invasive methods.
There are a couple of types of dental crowns to choose from. The main material used for making these is porcelain. In other cases, you will see porcelain fused with other materials such as metal or gold. These materials will ensure that the lifespan of the dental crowns will be as long as possible.
These are quite a popular option since you can customize them quite easily. So, making them resemble the color tone of your natural teeth is not too big of a problem for the technicians. Also, they should be in the same shape to prevent any problems regarding comfort.
Summary
Seeking alternatives to traditional dental implants doesn’t have to be nightmarish. Here, we’ve provided you with some of the most interesting ones. We are certain that a detailed explanation of each of these will play a major role in helping you make the final decision.