"Definitely agree about getting another opinion though, helped us feel way more confident about our decision."
Seconding this! I was super anxious when I had to choose between an implant and a bridge last year. Ended up talking to three different dentists (yeah, probably overkill, lol), but it genuinely helped ease my nerves. Went with the implant in the end—pricey, but I figured I'm younger and wanted something long-lasting. Grandma might find the bridge easier though, less invasive and quicker recovery... either way, she'll probably adapt better than you expect. Good luck!
Gotta say, implants are pretty awesome once they're in, but the whole process can be a bit of a drag. Had mine done two years ago, and while I don't regret it now, the healing period was definitely longer than I expected. Eating soft foods for weeks got old real fast, lol.
My mom went the bridge route though, and honestly, she bounced back way quicker than I did. She was back to eating normally in no time, and she didn't have to deal with the whole bone graft thing (which was probably the worst part for me). Plus, grandma might appreciate not having multiple dentist visits spread out over months—bridges are usually quicker and simpler.
But yeah, second opinions are gold. My first dentist made implants sound like the only sensible choice, but when I talked to another one, he pointed out that bridges can be just as solid if they're done right. It really depends on her overall dental health and how comfortable she is with procedures.
Either way, grandma's probably tougher than you think. Mine surprised us all by breezing through her dentures fitting like it was nothing... meanwhile, I was whining about my implant stitches for days. 😂
"Eating soft foods for weeks got old real fast, lol."
Totally agree with this—I'm scheduled for my first implant next month and honestly feeling pretty anxious about the recovery. My dentist also mentioned bridges as a simpler alternative, especially if bone grafting is involved... definitely something to consider carefully.
My dentist also mentioned bridges as a simpler alternative, especially if bone grafting is involved...
My daughter had an implant done last year after a soccer accident knocked out a tooth. Honestly, recovery wasn't as rough as we expected—just had to stick with smoothies and mashed potatoes for a bit. Bridges seemed simpler at first, but implants felt like a better long-term solution for her.
We considered implants too, but ended up going with a bridge for our son after his bike accident. Honestly, the idea of bone grafting and multiple procedures seemed overwhelming...especially for a kid. Two years in, no issues yet, and maintenance has been pretty straightforward.
