Q.
Hello Andrew I lost one of my front teeth (gum disease) and have had a cantilever bridge from the other for about 10 years. This has now started to move and x-rays reveal further bone loss although my dentist says that I keep my mouth really clean ( hygienist every 3 months, expensive electric toothbrush, disclosing tablets etc). The gum around the tooth that the bridge is attached to keeps bleeding and this is causing me some embarassment as well as staining my pillow at night. I had a referral to a local NHS dental hospital (I have a private dental plan) who suggested adjusting the bridge at the back and getting a night guard made (?) as he thought I was grinding and pushing the tooth away. Think that this is not an option now as the tooth is dropping and I cannot bite at all with it. I am considering dental implants but concerned about how long they will last- as I have bone loss anyway. Where will the bone be added from? How will I look whilst the bone is being grafted? My dentist says that they will cost about £2500 each – is this because he thinks I will need the bone graft and so it will be more expensive. Don’t really want to extend my bridge and destroy another 2 (relatively)healthy teeth- he thinks that as well as 2 front teeth I will need to remove the ones next to them and bridge from my incisors. I also play a brass instrument- will I be able to after the implant without causing damage?