Partial dentures vs. bridges?!
Question: Partial dentures vs. bridges.?
I have some old root canals that are causing trouble with surrounding teeth and may need to have some upper and some lower teeth removed. Right now I have an estimated cost of $3600 for one bridge and that's using my insurance. I have not discussed dentures with my dentist yet. What are the pros and cons of partial dentures and bridges.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Please, think about this carefully. A bridge is convenient, but it can cost a lot in the long run.
I got my first bridge and three root canals almost 15 years ago. It cost about $7000 because insurance didn't cover it. That bridge lasted about 6-years before I needed a new one because of wear and tear. The replacement bridge cost about $4500 (no root canals were needed).
Today I went to the dentist because my bridge was loose. I thought it would be a simple matter to re-cement the bridge, but turns out my anchor teeth had decayed under the bridge.
The anchor teeth were too decayed to re-cement the current bridge. So I had a choice - get more root canals, use two more healthy teeth as anchor teeth, and get a third bridge. Cost - between $7000 - $9000. Or get all the teeth pulled and get a partial - Cost $1200.
I decided to get the partial. I loved having a bridge, but I'm tired of dealing with it. I also don't want anymore of my good teeth to decay.
My teeth were in horrible shape under the bridge. I was shocked because you couldn't tell anything was wrong by looking and there was no pain. The anchor teeth were so badly decayed until they had to be cut out.
I'm not trying to scare you. Having a bridge was great. But you should know the risks. If you decide to get the bridge, please ask your dentist how to avoid decay. I thought I was doing everything right, but I was wrong.Health Question & Answer
I got my first bridge and three root canals almost 15 years ago. It cost about $7000 because insurance didn't cover it. That bridge lasted about 6-years before I needed a new one because of wear and tear. The replacement bridge cost about $4500 (no root canals were needed).
Today I went to the dentist because my bridge was loose. I thought it would be a simple matter to re-cement the bridge, but turns out my anchor teeth had decayed under the bridge.
The anchor teeth were too decayed to re-cement the current bridge. So I had a choice - get more root canals, use two more healthy teeth as anchor teeth, and get a third bridge. Cost - between $7000 - $9000. Or get all the teeth pulled and get a partial - Cost $1200.
I decided to get the partial. I loved having a bridge, but I'm tired of dealing with it. I also don't want anymore of my good teeth to decay.
My teeth were in horrible shape under the bridge. I was shocked because you couldn't tell anything was wrong by looking and there was no pain. The anchor teeth were so badly decayed until they had to be cut out.
I'm not trying to scare you. Having a bridge was great. But you should know the risks. If you decide to get the bridge, please ask your dentist how to avoid decay. I thought I was doing everything right, but I was wrong.Health Question & Answer
Bridges mean having to shave down perfectly good teeth, to be used as anchor teeth for the bridge. The advantage is that it doesn't have to be removed at night, the dis. is that it costs so much these days, and that those anchor teeth now have the possibility of getting decay under their crowns, but it's not usual,,,,, partials are so much cheaper, but a pain to take out at night, and the dog can eat them, or they fall out of your suitcase,,,(happened to my ex), it's all a matter of money and preference.Health Question & Answer
FYI,
BRIDGES: PRO=DON'T NEED REMOVAL AT NIGHT LIKE PARTIALS, NO CLASPS/HOOKS AS PARTIAL, CANNOT BE LOST/MISPLACED
BRIDGES CONS=COST, RUINING OF ADJACENT TEETH
PARTIAL PROS= 1 PARTIAL REPLACES ALL MISSING TEETH, EVEN IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF MOUTH REASONABLE COST.
PARTIAL CONS= METAL HOOKS/CLASPS VISIBLE TO OTHERS,
CAN BE LOST/MISPLACED, HOOKS/CLAPS MAY BE BROKEN
THERE IS NO RULE FOR EVERYONE'S SITUATION, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. ASK THE DENTIST ABOUT VALPLAST PARTIALSHealth Question & Answer
BRIDGES: PRO=DON'T NEED REMOVAL AT NIGHT LIKE PARTIALS, NO CLASPS/HOOKS AS PARTIAL, CANNOT BE LOST/MISPLACED
BRIDGES CONS=COST, RUINING OF ADJACENT TEETH
PARTIAL PROS= 1 PARTIAL REPLACES ALL MISSING TEETH, EVEN IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF MOUTH REASONABLE COST.
PARTIAL CONS= METAL HOOKS/CLASPS VISIBLE TO OTHERS,
CAN BE LOST/MISPLACED, HOOKS/CLAPS MAY BE BROKEN
THERE IS NO RULE FOR EVERYONE'S SITUATION, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. ASK THE DENTIST ABOUT VALPLAST PARTIALSHealth Question & Answer
I'm going to get a bridge instead of a partial for 1 reason:
I do not want to remove my "teeth" and clean it every night. I want something to be permanent.
That was about the only difference I could see.
Some people prefer to take it out, others don't.Health Question & Answer
I do not want to remove my "teeth" and clean it every night. I want something to be permanent.
That was about the only difference I could see.
Some people prefer to take it out, others don't.Health Question & Answer