WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Ok folks, help me out...
Would you vote for an implant or a bridge for someone with chronic Lyme?
Had a tooth pulled a few months ago. It was a root canal gone bad and I feel better now that it's out. I need to figure out what to put there and I don't want to start any new problems.
I was originally going to get an implant but now I'm not sure after reading about issues with sensitivity to titanium, and also that you are supposed to be in "good" general health.
But the down side of a bridge is I'm not happy about grinding down the teeth on both sides.
Ugh! Help!
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Depends on where this tooth is? But a fixed bridge is just fine. Don't worry about the prep of the other teeth. If you have a great dentist, you won't be able to tell that you have a bridge. It should be close to the gun tissue and have great margins around each tooth. Cleaning, flossing is a must with a bridge, but it's also a must with an implant.
Implant is ok for some.... others have issues. It will be screwed into your bone... a 'post' above the tissue for a crown to be attached. Cleaning under it is tricky and you have to keep it clean.
With Lyme, I would opt for the bridge, but that's me. Cost is less with a fixed bridge too..... should be.
It really is ok for the 'grinding' of the other teeth... they prep them smaller for the crowns to fit the same size of what the teeth are now.
-------------------- Lyme, Babs, Fry Bug..... Whatever it is, may a treatment be discovered to make us all whole again! Posts: 941 | From AZ-MT | Registered: Oct 2004
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susank
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22150
posted
I had the same concerns. Was really afraid to do something permanent in case I did not like it/or I reacted to the materials/whatever.
So I opted for a "flipper".
I take it out at night.
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
thanks so much for the feedback.
Is there any way a Lyme patient would have issues with a bridge?
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I've got a bridge. never had problems.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
My father had bridges. With the years, the good teeth on which the bridges were standing on got problems (infection / invisible cavities) because there is always some food infiltration under.
A bridge is placed on top of good teeth, but there is always some space under, where liquids go in.
A bit like what happens to cavities: the ceramic or plastic put on top can also break, or have tiny cracks or just bits of infiltration, and they may need to be changed, with the years.
For the look, bridge is better than removable partials.
I opted for removable partials because my teeth health was bad.
I kept losing teeth even AFTER lyme (during lyme too). Some roots got infected and ended up killing cavity-free teeth.
I wouldn't risk putting bridges just because of health concerns. I can't even consider implants (nothing will hold on my jawbones, I think, after all those jaw cavitation surgeries I did...).
What I like with partials is that you take them off, clean them, put them back. Mine were done in Switzerland, they are very good.
Besides, once you do one partial, next time you get another tooth pulled out, you barely have to pay anything extra.
I made if of the purest gold possible, because I do not react to gold badly (some people do). Every component of the alloy was tested energetically for me.
So far, I'm glad. I have one for about 8, 9 years, the other is newer (about 1.5 year).
The only bad point is the aesthetic part (as one can see some of the gold). But as I said, I had no option due to weak teeth.
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Thank you... that is a good point about the bridge. That is my fear with a bridge - compromising the healthy teeth.
I would be the type to be bothered by a denture, I think. I dunno...I guess I could try it.
I just don't know. I feel like all the options aren't great, and I wish there were better options!!!
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Have you looked into zirconium implants? They are very expensive, but the zirconium is supposed to be less reactive than titanium.
Posts: 116 | From USA | Registered: Jun 2016
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
Yep, that is what I would do, if I opted for implants: zirconium.
You'll still need strong bones for implants.
In case my teeth health improves considerably, I may consider zirconium implants too. But I fear all those bones implants that I shall need... that is why I keep my partials.
It's not a perfect solution... The only good thing is that I know I can get rid of all metals in a second, in case I want all metals out.
In case of an implant (ziconium or not), it would mean another surgery to take them off (in case my health deteriorates)...
Posts: 6199 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
thanks so much for the thought, yes I have considered looking into zirconium. Hard to find someone who does it but one place seems to offer it so I'm thinking of going in for a consult. Good to know you've both heard good things.
thank you!
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I am in need of an extraction and have been debating the same options. I'm glad this has been brought up and being discussed. So far I am trying to get a zirconium implant as I have healthy jaw bone in that area. Waiting for a second opinion as to whether this tooth actually needs to come out. I have some time between extraction and having the next step( implant) done . I will be watching this topic and continue to form my decision. Thanks for posting VPinVA,good luck in making your choice.
Posts: 342 | From northern california | Registered: Dec 2010
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
I have been researching and reading... The Whole Body Dentistry book is fantastic.
A bonded bridge looks like it may be a good option.
Any thoughts or experience with bonded bridges?
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I have two dental implants which are titanium. No issues at all.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
How does one know if you have healthy enough bone?
I've been told my bone is infected, but I have no pain--this only got discovered on x-ray accidentally when I was supposed to get a new crown made higher to correct my bite.
Can they scrape the infection out before they do the bone graft?
I'm on argentyn 23 for lyme right now--any chance that would circulate into the bone?
It's good to hear titanium hasn't caused any problem for you Faithful!
I'd like to get tested for titanium by biological dentist, but there aren't any near by for me. I'm thinking of just doing it!
Posts: 1297 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
Oops--accidentally erased my comment before posting about the tooth being an upper molar and that a sinus lift/bone graft would be necessary.
Posts: 1297 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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