Fixed bridge thingy or a plate?

[TheBoyWithaSORNedMX5]

I lost a canine (or an incisor? I mean the ones like fangs) a couple of years back, after falling down some stairs and fracturing my jaw. Ouch. One of my front teeth was also loosened and I was warned that it would come out in time.

So, that tooth has now come out and I have a lovely big gap where that tooth and the canine once lived

Ideally I'd like implants but really can't afford to at the moment, so my dentist has suggested either cementing a fixed bridge or having a removable plate. She says go for the plate, but I'm a bit about having dentures, iykwim.

It is slightly complicated by the fact that the gap is too big for one normal sized front tooth, and too small for two, because my teeth have shifted about. Bugger.

So, what are plates like to live with? And what are bridges like to live with?

All thoughts welcome, please (shows off her lovely gappy grin]

Hi TheBoy

A plate is small, lightweight and relatively cheap, easy to clean and would be a great 'temporary' solution if you wanted to save up for an implant. It can be made very easily also.

A bridge on the other hand can be very expensive will involve a few visits for preparation and fittng etc and needs to be kept very, very clean so oral hygiene is very important. A hygienist will guide you through this with specially designed floss etc.

I do not know what kind of bridge you would have - a 'Maryland' is the least invasive and a fixed bridge would mean cutting down the neighbouring teeth to fit it.

Good luck with what you decide

Thanks lamplighter (have a big gappy grin)

Yes I do think a plate is the way forward - I'd forgotten about the kind of work they'd have to do on the neighbouring teeth if I had a bridge. Oh and very useful to know that there are different kinds of bridge, too. Off to Google...

Good luck Theboy - a good smile is always important

Aside from the cost of implants be aware that not everyone is suited to them for various reasons so have that checked out.

I'm about to have a bridge - a tooth either side of the gap will be ground down to allow it to be fixed. My dentist is happy to do this as both the teeth are nearly all filling anyway.

I have a gap on the otherside but the dentist doesn't want to grind down two healthy teeth to make a bridge. I did have the consultation for an implant but would need a sinus lift and bone graft so would cost £3000!

A 3 tooth bridge is £1350......

a sinus lift [faints]

dbm - good thinking re checking that I am suitable for implants. Thank you!

They said sinus lifts and bone grafts were no problem but just the thought of it scared the sh*t out of me!