Episode 5: Bridge, Implant... or Nothing?

Episode 5 January 25, 2025 00:03:19
Episode 5: Bridge, Implant... or Nothing?
Trust Your Teeth
Episode 5: Bridge, Implant... or Nothing?

Jan 25 2025 | 00:03:19

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Show Notes

A missing tooth may not seem like a big deal.
No pain. No urgency. Just an empty space.
But doing nothing... comes with a cost.

In this Essentials episode of Trust Your Teeth, we break down what really happens when a tooth is gone — and what your options are.
Should you leave the space alone?
Get a bridge?
Get an implant?

We walk you through the pros and cons of each.
Why some people regret their bridge.
Why implants are great — but not for everyone.
And why ignoring it can shift your entire bite.

If you’ve ever lost a tooth — or think you might — this episode gives you the real answer to the question:
What should I do next?

Trust Your Teeth is brought to you by KYT Dental Services.
Because trusting your teeth... starts with knowing the truth.

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Episode Transcript

Welcome to Trust Your Teeth. Part of our Essentials series... Where we make sense of the stuff nobody explains clearly. Today’s topic... What happens when a tooth is gone? Do you replace it? Or leave it alone? And if you do replace it... Do you get a bridge? An implant? Or something else? Let’s break it down. When a tooth is missing... You have three main options. One, you do nothing. Two, you get a bridge. Three, you get an implant. Each choice has consequences. And what’s right for someone else... Might not be right for you. Let’s start with doing nothing. Sometimes, leaving a space alone feels like the easiest option. No surgery. No expense. And if you’re not in pain... You might wonder — why even bother? But here’s what often gets missed. Your teeth are a team. They rely on each other for balance. When one tooth is missing... The nearby teeth start to move. The tooth behind it can tilt forward. The one above it may drift down. And the teeth on the other side? They start working harder... Taking on more pressure than they should. That imbalance builds over time. And eventually... it causes new problems. Cracks. Shifting. Jaw strain. Even more missing teeth. Doing nothing... May cost you more in the long run. Now... let’s talk bridges. A dental bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap... To hold a false tooth in the middle. It’s cemented in place. It’s non-removable. And when done well, it can look and feel like your natural tooth. But... Bridges come with a catch. To place a bridge... You have to shave down the two neighboring teeth. Even if they’re perfectly healthy. That weakens them. And once they’re shaved... There’s no going back. Also... bridges don’t replace the root of the missing tooth. Which means the bone underneath may shrink over time. So while bridges work... They’re not always the most conservative choice. Now let’s talk about implants. Dental implants replace the tooth and the root. They go into the bone... like an anchor. And then a crown is placed on top. Done properly... An implant doesn’t affect the teeth next to it. No shaving. No added pressure. And... it helps preserve the bone in that area. Implants tend to last the longest. But they also cost more upfront... And they require a strong foundation of bone and gum health. They’re not for everyone. But for many... they’re the gold standard. So what should you choose? The truth is... There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people aren’t good candidates for implants. Others don’t want to touch the teeth next door for a bridge. And some... simply aren’t ready to do anything yet. The real key? Understand the trade-offs. Because once you lose a tooth... The clock starts ticking. Your bite changes. Your pressure shifts. And what you do next... Matters more than you think. In the next episode... A true story... About someone who ignored a missing tooth for years... And paid the price. Because it wasn’t just about that one tooth. It was about everything that happened after. Because trusting your teeth... Starts with knowing the truth.

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