Dental implants are probably the best dental procedure developed over the last few decades. They are now widely used worldwide and have helped restore numerous people’s smiles and self-confidence.

They were originally developed in the 1950s when titanium was discovered to be highly biocompatible and could fuse strongly with bone. The major advantage of choosing dental implants is their potential longevity. If properly planned and placed, they can last for years, if not for life.

Although dental implants are an excellent solution for tooth loss, they are not for everyone. Some people fear having this treatment or will avoid it because of the short oral surgery required to insert the implants into the jawbone.

The good news is that there are other alternatives which do not require oral surgery. However, be aware they may not achieve the same kind of results. Several alternative options are discussed below.

Traditional Fixed Dental Bridge

A fixed dental bridge is a prosthesis that can replace one or more teeth if they were originally adjacent.

The bridge is supported by crowns covering the teeth adjacent to the gap, called abutment teeth. These abutment teeth support the replacement teeth between them, each of which is called a pontic. A pontic is shaped to look and feel just like a real tooth and rests on your gum.

The Procedure for a Fixed Dental Bridge

The procedure of having a fixed dental bridge is very straightforward.

  • Your dentist must prepare the abutment teeth by removing some tooth structure. This is done using a local anesthetic to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed. Preparation is necessary; otherwise, the crowns over these teeth would look too big and bulky and feel uncomfortable.
  • Once your teeth are prepared, your dentist takes a dental impression. Some dentists take a dental impression using a traditional impression tray filled with a goopy mixture. The tray is inserted into your mouth for several minutes until the impression material hardens and can be removed.
  • Alternatively, an increasing number of dental offices now use digital dental impressions. Your teeth are scanned using a tiny handheld camera that creates a digital 3-D model of your teeth. It’s less invasive and more comfortable, especially for anyone with a strong gag reflex.
  • After taking the impression, your dentist will check it carefully, and it will be ready to send to the dental lab, along with the prescription for your new dental bridge. Your prepared teeth are protected with a temporary restoration that you will wear until your new bridge is ready. The temporary restoration is cemented in place but is relatively fragile, so you must avoid biting and chewing on it too much.
  • When your new dental bridge is ready, usually a couple of weeks later, you return to your dental office to have it fitted. Your temporary restoration is removed and the new bridge is tried in so your dentist can check to ensure it fits precisely. Minor adjustments may be made before the bridge is permanently cemented in place.

Pros and Cons of a Fixed Dental Bridge

A fixed dental bridge is quick and non-invasive to complete, but the abutment teeth must be reshaped substantially. If these teeth are healthy and nicely shaped, removing healthy tooth structure is never ideal. A bridge can be a good idea if these teeth are decayed or misshapen and will benefit from being covered with dental crowns.

A fixed dental bridge is only possible if the adjacent teeth are strong enough to support it. Sometimes, these teeth are missing or too weak to hold a dental bridge properly.

As the dental bridge ages, there is a risk that the abutment crowns could begin to leak. You will need to consider replacing the bridge 10 or 15 years later, depending on how well you look after it.

Maryland Bridge

A Maryland bridge is another fixed dental bridge that is non-invasive. However, it works quite differently from an ordinary dental bridge. Instead of crowns covering the adjacent teeth, wings are fitted on the inner surfaces of these teeth and are bonded in place. These wings then support the pontic.

The Procedure for a Maryland Bridge

The process for having a Maryland bridge is very straightforward. Your dentist will simply need to take a dental impression of your mouth, which will be used to make your new Maryland bridge. The time required is probably similar to a fixed bridge, so around two weeks.

Once the bridge is ready, you return to your dental office to have it tried in and adjusted as necessary before it is bonded in place.

Pros and Cons of a Maryland Bridge

Unlike a traditional bridge, very little tooth preparation is needed to fit a Maryland bridge. Your dentist may lightly etch the adjacent teeth to increase the bond between each tooth and the wing. You may not even need a local anesthetic.

However, a Maryland bridge is only suitable for teeth that don’t come under substantial chewing forces. Therefore, these bridges are usually only suitable for replacing smaller teeth, such as lower incisors.

Because the bond between the tooth and the wing can be relatively fragile, there is a risk that the bridge can pop off occasionally and will need re-bonding back in place.

Full and Partial Dentures

A full or partial denture is one of the most traditional ways to replace missing teeth. A full denture can replace a complete arch of teeth. A partial denture only replaces some teeth in an arch; these missing teeth do not need to be adjacent.

Full dentures have an acrylic base that is gum coloured and rests directly on your gums. The base supports denture teeth that a denture technician will have arranged to look and feel as natural as possible.

Partial dentures are similar but can be strengthened with a lightweight metal framework. They can also have clasps fitting around your natural teeth. These clasps help provide additional support.

Some partial dentures have precision attachments. These are special attachments that slot into crowns fitted over your natural teeth. They help hold the partial denture more snugly in the mouth.

The Procedure for Dentures

You will need several appointments with your dental office to make and fit your denture. Taking a series of dental impressions is necessary to get a more accurate fit over your gums. The denture can then be created in wax. The gum-colored wax supports your actual denture teeth and can be tried in your mouth so your dentist can check the fit and your bite.

Once you and your dentist are happy with the try-in denture, the dental lab replaces the wax with acrylic and returns it for fitting.

Pros and Cons of Dentures

Full and partial dentures are the most cost-effective way to replace missing teeth but are also the least stable. Your biting strength is reduced, so some foods may be trickier to eat or entirely off the menu.

After a short while, you will almost certainly find that your denture fits less securely. This is due to changes in the jawbone shape underneath, which is unavoidable. Your jawbone will resorb without the stimulation provided by natural tooth roots, so these changes are unavoidable.

Although you can have dentures relined or remade, the problem will continue.

Why Not Reconsider Dental Implants Instead?

While you may be looking for a less invasive solution for tooth loss, there’s little doubt that dental implants are the best option for most people. If you are suitable for implant treatment, it’s worth considering this treatment carefully.

Below are some reasons why you should consider implants.

Less Invasive Than You May Imagine

Modern techniques for planning and placing dental implants using computer-guided surgery mean the process is quicker and smoother than you may imagine. Dental implant dentists with advanced dental implantology training, such as periodontists, routinely use computer-guided surgery.

Digital imaging, like a cone beam CT scan, allows a periodontist to pinpoint the exact location of each implant and to plan your treatment stage by stage, all behind the scenes. Once your treatment plan is complete, it is transferred to a surgical stent, a sophisticated template used during surgery.

The template fits over your gums so your periodontist can replicate your treatment plan exactly. A surgical stent ensures only minimal incisions are needed, and treatment is quicker and smoother with faster healing afterward.

Multiple Treatment Options Available

With modern dental implant treatments, you may not need many implants inserted, even if you need to replace a complete arch of teeth. Techniques like All-on-Four enable an entire arch of teeth to be supported by just four dental implants. Sometimes, as few as two implants may be necessary, so treatment is even less invasive.

Other solutions like mini dental implants mean the implants are inserted through your gums, so no incisions or stitches are needed. Mini dental implants can be a great option when restoring small front teeth or securing a denture.

Treatment can also be extremely affordable when only a few implants are necessary.

Think about Sedation Dentistry

Dental fears are common, especially when facing the prospect of oral surgery, but this is when sedation dentistry can help. Imagine feeling so relaxed in the dental chair that you actually fall asleep, and once treatment is over, it can feel like a matter of minutes has passed. Sedation dentistry can help you achieve this.

Using dental sedatives can help you feel more relaxed and comfortable, and the level of sedation can be adjusted to meet your needs. If you feel deeply anxious, you can opt for intravenous sedation, where you will feel very sleepy during treatment.

Because dental sedatives tend to contain an amnesiac, you will most likely remember nothing about your implant treatment afterward. Instead, you can look forward to all the advantages of having dental implant teeth.

Why Not Discuss All Available Options with a Dental Implant Dentist?

If you have missing or failing teeth, why not discuss all possible options with a good dental implant dentist?

It’s always a good idea to discover as much as you can about all the different treatments so you can make a more informed choice.

When you see your dental implant dentist, they can assess your mouth, review your dental and medical health and determine if dental implants could be a good solution or if another method may suit you best. You can rest assured that they will only recommend dental implants if they feel this will provide the best outcome for you. Otherwise, they can discuss alternative solutions, as outlined above.