Hi there,

I’m a college hockey player and my front tooth got knocked out. My dentist recommended a dental implant, and started the process. However, my teammates said it was a bad idea while I’m still playing hockey. What if I get hit in the face again? Should I get something temporary, like a bridge? I want an implant for cosmetic reasons.

Peter, from Brooklyn, New York.

 

Hi Peter,

Your teammate’s concern is valid. If you had an implant that got knocked out, it would knock out the bone and the hardware. Repairing it would require a bone graft and extensive surgery. Hockey players are prone to dental injuries, so waiting until you’re done playing before getting anything permanent done would be a good idea.

A bridge is not a temporary fix, and would involve multiple adjacent teeth to place properly. Instead of just one tooth being at risk, there would be a higher risk of more teeth being injured. In the meantime, a root fixture or plug can be placed.

The best temporary fix would be a removable partial flipper. if done by an expert cosmetic dentist and ceramist, it will be indistinguishable from the rest of your natural teeth.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dental implant provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher.