Wisdom tooth bridge

[JL]

I am considering having implant done on three missing teeth; bottom right.

About 5 years ago I had my wisdom tooth bridged to 4th tooth. Last year I had to have a root canal on the bridged wisdom tooth. The dentist drilled through the bridge and did the treatment. Unfortunately the tooth was very decayed and started to break again. The bridge is still secure but my dentist said that it won't hold for very long.

He suggested removable prothesis or implants. As money is huge issue at the moment, I wonder if it would be possible to have one tooth implanted and make another bridge.

I know it is difficult to assess the problem without a consultation, but I would be very grateful if someone could list the options and estimated prices.

Kind regards,

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your question.

From your question I am not 100% sure what you are asking but I think you are suggesting placing one implant to replace the wisdom tooth and then joing it to the lower 1st premolar tooth with a bridge.

This sort of hyrbid bridge design would have several problems:

1. The bridge would be very long with three false teeth on it, which will put it at a high risk of failure.

2. Mixing implants and natural teeth in a bridge is not a great idea as implants are non flexible in bone where as teeth move in their sockets. This might cause problems for the bridge.

3. Placing implants in the wisdom tooth region, might impinge on the nerve in that area that supplies the lip and chin with sensation resulting in temporary or permanent change in sensation in these regions.

You might be better off rethinking this bridge design and opting for the replacement of the Lower 2nd premolar and lower 2nd molar with two implants and a three unit bridge between them. This would be a safer and less hassle free bridge design for you. There are other options and I would suggest that you book for an implant consultation.