There are times that people will pursue bridge work to avoid having an implant done. While sometimes this is appropriate, there are instances where it’s wiser—and cheaper—to go ahead with the implant.
A typical three-unit bridge requires grinding down at least two teeth, increasing the likelihood of needing a root canal in them within a few years. Not only would the root canals be expensive, but the bridge work would have to be redone as well.
Implants are anchored into the bone much like the roots of your teeth. In this way an implant acts as a natural tooth and preserves the integrity of the underlying bone. This can be a more permanent solution and does not require grinding of nearby teeth to make it work. The majority of general dentists, however, do not actually place the implants. They may advertise implant service, but require patients to see a specialist to set the implant post in place. Afterward they fit the implant to the post.
The importance of a general dentist that can actually perform the entire implant process is twofold. First, the ability to deal directly with your dentist makes scheduling and payments much easier. Second, specialists sometimes charge for any additional work or to redo any part of the procedure. Because in this scenario there is no recourse with the general dentist, it can be a difficult process.
