Dentist: Implant Tops 'Bridge to Nowhere'
CHARLESTON, S.C. (UPI) -- Aging dental bridges are a maintenance headache and a recipe for oral-health disaster and implants, though more expensive, are preferable, a U.S. dentist said. Dr. Olivia Palmer of Charleston, S.C., said bridges are hard to floss, often decay and require replacement with longer bridges. "Many of us have had the same bridges in our mouths for 20 years or more. They were put in at a time when bridgework was considered to be the norm for replacing missing or compromised teeth," Palmer said in a statement. "An old bridge is basically worthless for preserving good dental health. In essence, it's a bridge to nowhere." The American Academy of Implant Dentistry said these types of bridges should be replaced with permanent dental implants. Palmer says bridges generally fail after five to 10 years because patients have trouble flossing them. Root surfaces below and around bridgework often decay unless kept meticulously clean with flossing and the entire bridge must be replaced and the teeth supporting the old bridge are often lost. "With an estimated two of three Americans having at least one missing tooth, implants are becoming the preferred tooth-replacement option. Implant surgery is one of the safest, most precise and predictable procedures in dentistry," Palmer said.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (UPI) -- Aging dental bridges are a maintenance headache and a recipe for oral-health disaster and implants, though more expensive, are preferable, a U.S. dentist said. Dr. Olivia Palmer of Charleston, S.C., said bridges are hard to floss, often decay and require replacement with longer bridges. "Many of us have had the same bridges in our mouths for 20 years or more. They were put in at a time when bridgework was considered to be the norm for replacing missing or compromised teeth," Palmer said in a statement. "An old bridge is basically worthless for preserving good dental health. In essence, it's a bridge to nowhere." The American Academy of Implant Dentistry said these types of bridges should be replaced with permanent dental implants. Palmer says bridges generally fail after five to 10 years because patients have trouble flossing them. Root surfaces below and around bridgework often decay unless kept meticulously clean with flossing and the entire bridge must be replaced and the teeth supporting the old bridge are often lost. "With an estimated two of three Americans having at least one missing tooth, implants are becoming the preferred tooth-replacement option. Implant surgery is one of the safest, most precise and predictable procedures in dentistry," Palmer said.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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