dental implant or bridge?

I have a root canaled molar that has abscessed and needs extraction (am on antibiotics). I can have a bridge put in but dentist recommended implant. I went to see the specialist and found out that I will need bone grafting which consists of bovine bone or synthetic (which I read does not work as well) and that freaks me out. I know millions of people have had it done but does your body really accept it? I also read that if its an area that has been infected sometimes complications can occur. Also already have a crown on one of the molars that would be used for the bridge so its not like I am compromising perfect teeth to bond the bridge on. Any thoughts? ann

I have a consultation with Dr. Huggins this Wednesday to discuss this very issue on my girlfriend's teeth.

From the research I have done, neither one looks like a very good option.

Dr. Huggins maintains that anything implanted into bone will eventually create an autoimmune reaction. I have seen a good deal of people on the internet who have commented on this after spending large sums of money and getting hives and strange body reactions along with chronic fatigue-like symptoms that went away after the implants were removed. Some people claim if you get MELISA (sp?) testing that you will have good compatibility. The benefits of the implants are that you don't lose bone tissue and have practically a fully functioning tooth.

With bridges, you have to mutilate perfectly good teeth. You will also lose some jaw bone structure around the areas where you have lost teeth. This lost bone structure will make the surrounding teeth weaker and also put more biting force on the teeth supporting the bridge as well as the front teeth. From my research, most people who have bridges eventually end up getting implants.

I posed this question to Dr. Marvin and this was his response:
http://drmarvin.com/index.php?/topic...une-disorders/

We're probably going to see him after talking with Dr. Huggins.

I think the complicated answer is it really depends on where you are in your life, your health and financial resources as well as where the problem teeth are and whether they are causing health complications. Unfortunately, I don't think any of the above are really "good" options.

I'll post back here after talking with Dr. Huggins.

--drraw

Btw, I would also buy and read this book (http://www.curetoothdecay.com/) as well as seeing a dentist that practices with ozone before deciding to root canal or pull the tooth.

--drraw

thanks for the input, appreciate it very much :) ann

I just got off the phone with Dr. Huggins. He is writing some new research papers soon to be released showing the dangers of implants.

Here's what I got from him:

- Bridges can last 30-50 years but it depends on the dentist who installed it as well as the lab. If you can, spend more money to get the highest quality bridge made.
- There is some loss of bone structure but it is not very substantial.
- Most of the people who have failed bridges either had poorly made bridges or poor diet. Diet is very important to prevent further dental issues and we can significantly increase the lifetime of the bridge as well as good hygiene. The book I linked to above goes through the original dental research from Weston A. Price on why indigenous groups who follow traditional diets do not have dental problems despite having never used a toothbrush.
- He did not think that any alternative therapies such as accupuncture or accupressure would have any meaningful impact on the jaw/bite or the longevity of the bridge.
- He said that partial dentures are a completely reasonable option, but most people stop wearing them for psychological reasons -- not because the partial failed.

--drraw

i will choose without the tooth or dental implant.