What Are Cost-effective Dental Implant Alternatives?
When a patient has suffered from tooth loss, one of the best treatment options is dental implants. Dental implants are small titanium screws that fuse with the jaw to prevent bone loss and provide the ultimate level of comfort and stability for dental restorations.
Although dental implants offer an impressive number of benefits, they are not the right choice for all patients. While dental implants are cost-effective in the long-run, some patients cannot afford the initial investment that dental implant treatment requires. Fortunately, there are cost-effective dental implant alternatives. These treatments address tooth loss to provide Dr. Louis J. Buono’s Long Island, NY patients with an attractive and fully-functioning smile.
Full Dentures
If someone has lost all, or most, of the teeth from the upper or lower arch, the best alternative to dental implants is a full set of dentures. Full dentures are removable restorations that replace an entire arch of teeth. Each full denture consists of a set of artificial teeth that sits atop a plastic base that resembles the gum line. Full dentures sit over the natural gums and are held in place with the help of denture adhesive.
Many of our Long Island patients are reluctant to receive dentures because they have heard tales of ill-fitting restorations that fall out of place when a person talks, laughs, or eats. Fortunately, today’s dentures are far more advanced than those of the past. We use superior materials and thorough imaging to fabricate a set of dentures that will fit securely and function very much like the natural teeth.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures can replace several missing teeth. These restorations consist of artificial teeth and a pink, plastic base that resembles the gums, just like full dentures. One difference is that partial dentures often have a metal foundation and hooks that go around adjacent natural teeth to help hold the piece in place.
Partial dentures restore the aesthetics and functions of the smile so that patients can eat, speak, and laugh with confidence.
Fixed Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a great alternative to dental implants if a patient has lost a small set of teeth from the same area of the mouth. Fixed dental bridges are made of two dental crowns and a center pontic piece that is designed to resemble the set of missing teeth.
The dental crowns on either end are bonded to the natural teeth, and the pontic fills in the gap between the teeth.
Many of our Long Island patients prefer a dental bridge to partial dentures because they feel more secure and comfortable. Since the dental bridge is fixed in place with dental crowns, it will not shift or slip out of place.
Contact Us
Patients who have experienced tooth loss have many treatment options to consider. If you would like to learn more about the restorative dentistry treatments offered by Dr. Louis J. Buono, contact us at your earliest convenience. You can also set up an appointment by calling (516) 294-0375.