I've only had my bridge for about 3 years, but I totally get your concern about adjacent teeth weakening. My dentist mentioned it's possible over time, especially if oral hygiene slips a bit... definitely something I keep worrying about too.
Yeah, that's a legit concern. My ortho explained that bridges can put extra stress on neighboring teeth, especially as bone density changes with age. Implants might be pricier upfront, but long-term they're usually kinder to surrounding teeth... something worth considering for grandma's situation.
"Implants might be pricier upfront, but long-term they're usually kinder to surrounding teeth... something worth considering for grandma's situation."
I completely agree with this point. From what I've learned, implants not only protect neighboring teeth but also help maintain jawbone density, which can deteriorate significantly when teeth are missing. My aunt faced a similar dilemma a few years back—she initially went with a bridge because it seemed quicker and less invasive. Unfortunately, after about five years, she started experiencing issues with the adjacent teeth weakening, and eventually, she had to switch to implants anyway. The second procedure was more complicated due to bone loss that had occurred in the meantime.
Considering your grandma's age and potential bone density concerns, implants might indeed be the wiser long-term investment. Of course, every case is unique, and it's always best to consult closely with her dentist or oral surgeon to weigh the pros and cons carefully. It's great you're looking out for her dental health—these decisions aren't easy, but thoughtful consideration definitely pays off.
My dad went through something similar—he opted for a bridge first, thinking it'd be simpler. But like you said:
"after about five years, she started experiencing issues with the adjacent teeth weakening"
Same thing happened to him. Ended up costing more in the long run... hindsight's 20/20, right?
We had almost the exact same situation with my daughter—she lost a tooth in an accident and we went with a bridge first, figuring it'd be quicker and less invasive. But yeah, same story here... after a few years, the teeth next to it started having issues, sensitivity, and even some decay. Ended up switching to an implant anyway. Wish we'd known earlier, but like you said, hindsight is always clearer. Seems implants might be pricier upfront but probably save headaches later on.
