My son has severe peridontal disease. The dentist he consulted told him he needs all of his bottom teeth pulled, and a bridge put in, to the tune of over $8000. He's only 29. I've begged him to get a second opinion, and from what I've learned on the Internet, there are other options, such as surgery, that could save his teeth. I've suggested he go to the dental school for the second opinion but he's too afraid that they won't know what they're doing and he doesn't want to be an "experiment." I told him they supervise the students closely with experienced dentists, and I've even looked into the clinic there. It's very professionally run, and they will even discount the charges for him since he's unemployed and has no insurance. I think he's just resigned himself to losing his teeth because a bridge will be "easier." Are there any facts I can arm myself with to present to him? I strongly suspect, based on my mother's experience with losing her teeth at a young age (26) and having dentures all her life, that the bridge is NOT the easier way out.