What are the dental implant alternatives?

Dental implants are a restorative dental treatment for patients who have lost teeth, but they are not for everyone. Patients may not be able to receive dental implants for various reasons, such as not having enough jawbones to support the implants. In other cases, patients may simply want to avoid dental implant procedures.   Fortunately, there are a number of dental implant options that patients can turn to. These treatment options restore both the health and appearance of the smile. A qualified dentist can help you determine which treatment is right for you. In the meantime, learn more about some of the alternatives available.

Reasons for using dental implant alternatives

Some people, at the time of applying for dental implants, find that they do not have the right conditions for this method. Certain things increase the chance of implant failure. These factors include:

• Age over 60 years
• Radiation therapy or chemotherapy to treat cancer
• Lack of bone density in the jaw area
• Taking some medications that interfere with bone growth
• Menopause and low estrogen levels
• Gingiva infection
• Smoking habits
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Lack of control over diabetes
• Lack of financial affordance for dental implant

Alternatives methods for dental implant

There are alternative solutions for dental implants, which include the following:

Complete dentures

Dentures are a removable restorative dentistry option for people who have lost almost all of their natural teeth. Dentures are usually made of strong plastic material, although some expensive versions are made of porcelain. Dentures are attached to a support piece to increase comfort in the mouth. Dentures can be removed by the patient for cleaning and may also be removed before going to bed.

Partial prostheses as a dental implant alternative

For people who have lost several, but not all, of their natural teeth, removable partial dentures are a good alternative to dental implants. These dental implant replacements consist of a plastic base to which the artificial teeth are attached and metal clips are attached to the surrounding natural teeth.

Dental bridge

Dental bridges, sometimes called fixed dentures, are artificial teeth that are supported by crowns and attached to natural teeth on either side of the gap. They are made of strong and durable porcelain and are made to complement the size, shape, and color of the surrounding natural teeth. Because dental bridges are custom-made for each patient, they are easily and safely placed in the mouth. In the dental bridge, two healthy and natural teeth adjacent to the empty space should be coated and act as support for the artificial tooth that fills the empty space. These natural teeth that support the dental bridge are called abutments, and the artificial tooth that fills the tooth gap is called a pontic.   The pontic tooth is connected to the two veneers on both sides. Dental bridges may be made of gold and other precious metals, but they are often made of ceramics. Sometimes, a combination of these materials is used to make a dental bridge, for example, its skeleton may be made of metal and covered with a ceramic coating of the same color as the tooth.   A dental bridge has several disadvantages compared to an implant. First, the dental bridge takes advantage of the health of natural and healthy teeth, while the implant does not endanger the health of other teeth. Because the abutment teeth in the dental bridge must be cut and prepared first so that the bridge can be attached to them.   The bone surrounding the base of the implant is stimulated and therefore constantly regenerated, but the bone around the dental bridge is not stimulated, so there is no need to maintain it from a physical point of view, and it is gradually reabsorbed and destroyed. This causes the beauty of the face to be affected and after a while, the dental bridge no longer fits and harmonizes with the underlying structures.

A fixed bridge requires special care when brushing and flossing while maintaining the hygiene of an implant is just like a regular tooth.

Teeth in one day

Traditional dental implant surgery and the formation of bone tissue around the implant that happens afterward (when the gingiva around the posts is treated) usually last from five to two years. However, a new method literally makes “teeth in a day” available to patients. This innovative procedure uses computer-guided technology to determine the best implant location and precisely place the posts within an hour. This method also significantly shortens the recovery period, and most patients can even eat comfortably on the same day.