My #12 is missing and #13 was root canaled with the filling (no crown) about 4 years ago. #11 (a canine) is normal and healthy. I was initially considering an implant to replace #12, but my #13 would still require a crown since the filling is broken. Hence, the dentist thinks that a 3-unit porcelain bridge (11-12-13) would be a good (and much more affordable!) choice in this situation. Could anyone comment on this, please? I do not want to trim a healthy canine tooth, but an implant takes forever to complete and I am so scared of pain and complications since the procedure is very invasive. Plus, a bridge would be substantially cheaper (~1.5K with my insurance) compared to an implant that is not covered and a crown (~4K total). Are these extra risks and extra money (that is unfortunately an issue for me) worth saving a healthy canine tooth? I am torn apart, but I need to make a decision soon. Please help!

G_anna,

I would not recommend having a health (virgin) tooth trimmed down to fit a crown. Having an implant placed will prevent you from losing any more bone in the area of the missing tooth. The body thinks there is a tooth there and will continue to regenerate bone, with the tooth gone the bone will continue to resorb and the space under the bridge could become more significant.

Implants have come a long way over the past 10 years. Having the implant placed is really no more invasive than having a root canal done (easier on you too!). My husband has had 2 implants done in the last 6 years and doesn't even think about them.

You have to do what is best for you health wise and financially. The thing about the implant is that it is done in stages and you should be able to pay as you go and not have to put the whole amount out at once.

Good luck with your decision.

I'm with Flossie, G_anna. I just had a front tooth implant done vs. a bridge I could have done. But, I refuse to trim down any healthy teeth to fit a crown or bridge. The implant surgery took an hour and was done with just novocaine. I didn't feel anything at all. The few days after I had some dicomfort, but the pain meds they prescibed kept me comfortable. I have read there are high success rates for implants. And you don't have to worry about decay possibly getting at the tooth under the crown. Just a better option overall. A little more time consuming, but more estethically pleasing in the end. And yes, more expensive and I do not have the money either. I opted for a payment plan. Just make sure you research the dentist or implant specialist who will be working on your mouth. You really get what you pay for if you want nice looking teeth. That's the first thing most people notice when they look at you.So you want it done to perfection! Good luck with your decision. Let me know if you have any more questions, since I just had the procedure done 2 weeks ago.