Thanks for your replies. Actually the zirconium implants are more expensive. The spacers you mention seem like a good option. However, for now, I have been discouraged about having the extraction since there are no really good alternatives to the natural tooth. And leaving the space empty might not be good since my dentist told me that I would naturally start chewing on the opposite side. I am also feeling a little bit better. I just wish there were a test that could show whether there definitely is a dental abscess that does not appear in x-rays. That way, extraction of a tooth might not be potentially done for nothing!
Incidentally, my dentist did not tell me of this option, first i went through the hassle and the cost of using a denture, that i hated and refused to wear. After I went through that hell, he came up with this solution for me. I've had this floating spacer for about 8 years, with no problems and no cost (insurance paid). I was appalled at how something like this easy answer was not offered to me in the first place, but i guess it's all about money. I think the only reason he offered it at all is because of all the insurance claims he gets from our whole family. ggrrrr
Thanks so much for posting. I'm considering getting implants to support a denture and I didn't know that titanium implants may interfere with subtle brain waves, wow, that sounds scary. I hope that the zirconium are not more expensive. As per the tooth extraction (and effects on subsequent health as well as adjustment to the empty space). I had to have a tooth removed on the bottom. It was the tooth right beside the two middle teeth. My dentist easily put in a spacer tooth, that only adhered to the side of the teeth beside it. It cost very little. It was attached with glue on the sides i believe and with a thin coat of material on the back of the teeth (on the spacer and one tooth on either side). It is not noticeable, nor can you feel the material on the back of the teeth serving to join them. The only problem was that the natural teeth colored, whereas this floating spacer did not, it stayed very white. So if you smoke, it might not be the best alternative, unless you can bleach your teeth so that the spacer doesn't appear too white. The thing is , that the teeth beside the spacer were scraped and had a thin veneer put on them, that has since fallen off, so the teeth that are turning color may be doing so simply because they are more porous because of the scraping and wouldn't normally have discolored like they did. Since your tooth is the 4th upper to the right, I don't know how visible it is, but if it's not visible, then I don't see why you can't get a spacer. Let us know how it works out. Good Luck.
Why will I need to fill the space with something "for sure"? Can't I just accept it like that?
Extraction should be a last resort. If you do this you will need to fill the space with something for sure. The option after extraction is a $5000 implant. Sometimes they can make a bridge but these can also cause problems in the long run.