Dr. Cohen’s Implant Dentistry Blog

I have most of my front teeth missing. I was wondering if implants would be an option. I’m wearing a partial, but I don’t like the part that fits over my palate. Are there implants that fit like a bridge without affecting the surrounding teeth?
- Roy from Texas

Roy,
When you’re missing most of your front teeth, it makes it difficult to replace the teeth with a dental bridge. A dental bridge has to attach to your existing teeth, and when the front teeth are missing, this puts an awful lot of stress on the back teeth, to have that leverage of your front teeth on them.

The two solutions are to do a removable partial denture or dental implants. The removable partial does attach to your existing teeth, but it also gets support from your palate, so there isn’t as much stress on the teeth.

Dental implants, however, could be the ideal solution. They don’t have to attach to any other teeth. They are anchored in the bone and feel and act just like your own teeth.

Other related topics:
Read about the pros and cons of a dental implant vs. a bridge.

I am 22 and I need 13 dental implants. The dentist says each implant will cost me $4000, and I just dont have that type of money. Do you know of any dental insurance companies that cover this type of cosmetic dentist work?
- Becky from Milwaukee

Becky,
I don’t know that I can answer your question the way you want, but I’d like to make a couple of points.

First, I’m  not sure I understand the idea that you “need” 13 dental implants. Are you missing all your teeth at age 22? I’m puzzled. And with any dental treatment plan involving replacing missing teeth there are always a variety of options. There are various degrees of stability that you would want in replacing your teeth, and so there would be choices as far as how many implants you would get. There are also options for removable partial dentures, and combinations of implants and partially fixed restorations. So there has to be more than one way for you to get your teeth fixed.

On the idea of your getting dental insurance to pay for your implants, if you think it through, that is pretty impossible. You’d be asking a company that exists for the purpose of making a profit to take your premium of $1000 or whatever it is and pay for your dental implants that cost $52,000. Ain’t gonna happen.

Related links:
Affordable Chicago dental implants