Implants are definitely great long-term, but bridges aren't always the lesser option, especially for older patients. Had a patient recently, mid-70s, who opted for a bridge because her bone density was borderline and she wasn't keen on the extra prep work. She's been super comfortable and happy since. Sometimes it's less about what's ideal clinically and more about what's practical and comfortable for the individual patient... just another angle to consider.
Totally agree with this perspective. My mom went through something similar—she chose a bridge mainly because implants seemed overwhelming at her age. She's been eating corn on the cob again without issues, haha... comfort and practicality definitely matter more sometimes.
"comfort and practicality definitely matter more sometimes."
Yeah, that's exactly what I've been wondering about. I'm a bit younger but facing a similar decision right now, and the thought of implants honestly freaks me out a bit. I keep hearing they're the "best" solution long-term, but are they always worth the stress and surgery? Seeing your mom happily munching corn on the cob again makes the bridge option sound pretty appealing... maybe I'm overthinking it, but comfort feels like a huge factor here.
"comfort feels like a huge factor here."
Totally get where you're coming from. I went through something similar last year, and honestly, the idea of implants made me pretty anxious too. Ended up choosing a bridge mostly because it felt less invasive and stressful at the time. Haven't regretted it yet—eating comfortably again was such a relief. Trust your gut on this one; sometimes peace of mind matters more than what's considered "best" long-term.
I can see why comfort would be a big deal, especially for an older family member. When my aunt faced a similar choice, we took it step-by-step—first talking through her worries, then getting a second opinion from another dentist. She ended up going with implants after hearing more about the long-term benefits, but honestly, it was the reassurance from the second dentist that made her feel okay about it. Maybe another opinion could help ease some anxiety here too... either way, trusting your instincts is never a bad move.
