Should I get dental implants or a Maryland bridge? (Photo)

Great question and one that many have to deal with as missing lateral incisors, either one or both are actually one of the more common anodontia we see and the answer is not so easy or the same for every patient. Like so many professional answers (sorry!), the answer is "it depends." It depends on cosmetic and bone density factors and yes age. As a 21 yo female, despite some of the youthful tissues, you are mostly grown, so you won't see significant growth changes in bone density in these sites. My best friend whom I have known since 7th grade had two implants in his front teeth since then and has lasted just fine. That's like 50 years! Likewise, my brother has had a Maryland Br for 30 years. So both can work fine depending on the situation, condition, space, esthetics, and bone density. I do like the implant option because if done expertly, can maintain bone height and breadth better than without. Bone modification happens throughout our lives and will tend to slowly shrink and thus get a gap under the Maryland Br. But you said "bone won't significantly change?" Yes, but there is still change over time and there is less change with implants than without. The implants tend to act like a tooth and thus preserve the site better. One other thing of note: Maryland bridge also requires some preparation (drilling) on the natural remaining teeth, and as a conservative cosmetic dentist, I don't want to drill on teeth if I don't have to, which is another plus in favor of implants. But like I said, all depends on the aforementioned factors that your dentist/periodontist can help you ascertain. Hope that helps you make the right decision for you. Best, Dr. Ivan

Hello, the biggest disadvantage of implants in the anterior region in young patients is that although growth development is theoretically considered to end at the age of 18, in some people this growth development continues, but since the growth development in the implanted area will usually stop, there is a possibility of a crown on an implant that stops at a different level compared to the neighboring teeth. However, this is a very rare situation and does not happen for most people. When you look at the profit and loss balance, the first option should be Implant treatment because we will get rid of all kinds of interventions to be made to the neighboring teeth thanks to Implant treatment, the basic criterion here should be whether you are over 18 years old or not.

I can only give a general answer to your question. The biggest advantage of an implant is keeping the bone healthy. In case there is no tooth (root) in an area, bone loss starts. That is the case in bridges. Therefore in most cases, if the bone condition is good, implant becomes the primary preference. Surely there is risk of implant fail in years but in this case another implant application may still be possible. ımplant also will work fine after orthodontic treatment to retain the final position of your teeth.