My son is a hockey player and recently had a tooth knocked out during a practice. I want to get him a dental implant but his teammates said it could get knocked out again and to not replace it with an implant. What do you recommend? Would a Maryland Bridge be okay?
Cathey
Dear Cathey,
I have a colleague that worked with the official team dentist for a hockey team in Minnesota. He also mentioned this problem. What happens is if the tooth gets knocked out with the implant it can rip the bone. I would listen to his teammates. Yes, a dental implant is the top of the line in tooth replacement options, but not while he is at high risk like this.
Here is my recommendation. First, you can go ahead and get the root form of the implant placed. Doing that will help preserve the bone structure for after his time with hockey is over. Just don’t place the dental crown yet. Instead, use a temporary tooth replacement.
I’m going to nix the Maryland Bridge idea as well. This attaches to two other teeth. If that gets knocked out, it has the potential to take two other teeth with it.
What he can get is a dental flipper. This will make a nice temporary replacement. It doesn’t cost that much money and won’t cause any harm to either his other teeth or any bone structure if it takes a hit with a hockey puck.
This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.