An alternative to dental implants

August 29, 2024 Reading time ~ 7 min Number of reads: 99004

Patients are looking for an alternative to implantation because of financial or clinical limitations to implantation of artificial roots. Removable prostheses (bra, flexible, acrylic) and fixed products made of metal-ceramic, all-ceramic, zirconium (dental bridges) are able to replace the implants incompletely. Rarely missing units are replaced by displacing the neighboring ones with braces. Implantation is the preferred option: it guarantees an aesthetic, long-lasting and reliable result, with safety for the neighboring units and benefits for the jawbone.

When an alternative to dental implants may be necessary

Implantation is not organized for everyone. Contraindications to surgery are:

• Psychiatric pathologies;
• immunodeficiency conditions;
• cancer;
• decompensated diabetes mellitus;
• rheumatism;
• blood clotting problems;
• diseases of the central nervous system;
• bone diseases;
• inflammatory processes;
• severe cardiac pathologies;
• renal insufficiency;
• hypersensitivity to antiseptics;
• age under 18 years.

The list of contraindications varies, depending on the method of implantation. In addition to restrictions to the installation of titanium roots, implantation has other disadvantages:

• relatively high cost of treatment;
• risk of implant rejection;
• the probability of damage to the maxillary sinuses (when prosthetics in the upper jaw row);
• complexity of the operation (the integrity of soft, bone tissue, nerve endings and mucosa is damaged – postoperative swelling, pain).

What can replace dental implantation

Removable prostheses

If the patient does not have money for implants, removable prostheses are used, which can be inserted and removed from the mouth without the help of a dentist. The type of structure to be fitted determines the number of units to be lost:

• If there are several missing units in the row, partial dentures are needed;
• If a tooth row needs to be replaced, a full removable structure will help.

The design of the removable product – plastic pink gum and artificial teeth. The structure includes a metal frame, hooks, locks. If a full denture is fixed, due to the gingival base, the product suctions to the mucosa (for reliability, patients use fixing creams and gels). Partial dentures are supported on healthy units with the help of hooks, locks.

There are types of dentures:

• Clip-on. Constructions are used to restore several elements. They have a metal arch or bracket. The product is durable, fixed even on mobile teeth. The service life of the design is 7 years or more. Of the disadvantages noted: low aesthetic index (fasteners are noticeable), relatively high price of prostheses. The condition of prosthetics: the presence of at least 2 supporting teeth in each row.
• Flexible. Dentures are made of soft hypoallergenic plastics – they are light, comfortable to wear, well fit to the gums. Partial flexible designs are supplemented with fasteners – hooks made of plastic. Products serve 5-7 years and more. Of the disadvantages noted: the impossibility of repair, fitting the prosthesis in the dentist’s chair (the product is relocated by a dental technician). When wearing a soft design, the atrophic process in the bone progresses faster (compared to hard).
• Acrylic. Plastic constructions are made of hard plastics – they are not characterized by comfort in wearing. The chewing load is distributed on the gums, not on the supporting units. Plus – low cost. Of the minuses noted: the duration of the period of habituation, methyl ester of methacrylic acid in the composition of acrylic (irritates the mucosa).

Non-removable prostheses

Non-removable structures are fixed in the oral cavity – the patient can not remove them without the help of a dentist. The prosthesis is in the form of a single dental crown or a complex (dental bridge), which are “put on” the supporting teeth.

Bridges are supported by healthy neighboring elements (they are pre-trimmed). A dental bridge on the lock in the form of a single crown has a latch inside (the other two on the neighboring teeth). The adhesive structure is fixed to the supporting units, not covering them with itself, but attaching to the tooth wall (preparation is excluded).

Non-removable prostheses have advantages:

• instantly restore the aesthetics and functionality of the dentition;
• biocompatible, hypoallergenic;
• do not rub the mucosa, do not create a feeling of “foreign body” in the mouth;
• wear-resistant.

Of the disadvantages of fixed prosthetics highlight the high price, the need for support in the form of healthy teeth. In the absence of a large number of units, this support is only implants.

Depending on the material, fixed products are classified into:

• All-ceramic. Prostheses are made of pressed ceramic, they are durable, not subject to chips, scratches and discoloration. Products are successfully used in the restoration of the frontal row.
• Metal-ceramic. One-piece construction, consisting of a metal base and coating in the form of aesthetic porcelain. Products are durable and can withstand significant loads. Allergic reaction to metal is not excluded. Suitable for restoring chewing teeth.
• Zirconium. The basis of the design is zirconium dioxide, the coating is a layer of dental ceramics of the chosen tone (similar to enamel). The prosthesis is durable, fits tightly to the supports, CAD/CAM technology guarantees the accuracy of the restoration. The disadvantage of zirconium dentures is their high cost.

Retighten neighboring teeth with braces

An alternative to implants and a bridge in place of side teeth – moving neighboring units in place of extracted ones. The duration of therapy depends on the number of missing teeth and the amount of time the patient has gone without them. Treatment can last up to four years.

Before the therapy, a thorough diagnosis is made and the probable changes in the bite are predicted. Possible complications of the therapy include bone resorption and exposure of the tooth roots.

What is the alternative to implants for chewing teeth?

The masticatory elements are more loaded than the anterior ones. The anatomy and localization of the units makes it difficult to care for the elements – the risk of dental diseases in the area of chewing teeth is high, the elements are prone to destruction.

If one or more teeth in the masticatory zone are missing, a dental bridge is placed, provided that there is something to attach it to – the neighboring units (including damaged ones) are pre-trimmed.

Of the removable products is justified the use of a bracket design – a durable option, does not sag under load. The product is fastened with hooks or locks.

How to replace implants on the front teeth

Frontal elements are not involved in chewing food, but they are subject to high aesthetic requirements. As an alternative to implants, a dental bridge can be used to restore teeth in the front row.

Metal-ceramic constructions are not used in the smile area: the metal base gives darkening in the light, the mucosa may darken in contact with metal. All-ceramic is a durable material, characterized by natural translucency, looks like “your” tooth. The most accurate, aesthetic and durable option is a prosthesis made of zirconium dioxide.

Options for missing teeth completely

With complete adentia, removable plate prostheses are helpful, which rest entirely on the gum, consisting of gum and artificial crowns (plastic, ceramic). Constructions made of hard or soft plastics are massive, placed on the entire palate (on the upper jaw). Products will have to be relocated regularly to ensure their tight fit to the mucosa.

Why it is important to restore the dentition

Missing teeth cause consequences:

• displacement, extension of neighboring units;
• changes in the bone (atrophy) at the site of the lost tooth;
• rapid destruction of neighboring teeth (due to increased stress);
• food is poorly chewed – digestive problems occur;
• speech defects appear;
• signs of premature aging appear (wrinkles around the lips, sunken cheeks).

Which method is better to choose

Implantation – a privileged way to restore the lost elements in the absence of financial and clinical limitations. Advantages of the method:

1. Implants are durable. If a dental bridge is installed, replacement will be required in 5-7 years. The service life of implants is at least 25 years.
2. Neighboring elements remain intact. Implants do not need a support. When installing a dental bridge, the supporting units are pre-trimmed, which leads to their destruction.
3. Stopping bone atrophy. Implantation guarantees an even chewing load on the jawbone – the bone is not destroyed.
4. Preservation of taste sensations. Removable constructions dull the sense of taste due to the massive base that blocks the receptors.
5. Secure fixation of prostheses and the fitting of various prosthetic options.