Missing teeth can lead to several problems, from communication difficulties to lowered self-esteem. But thanks to technological advances, we can now fill in the gaps.
You must consider your lifestyle and preferences when choosing the best dental treatment. If you’re trying to decide between implants and bridges to fix a missing tooth, keep reading to learn the difference.
Dental Implants and Dental Bridges: What’s the Difference?
Dental bridges are false teeth attached to the adjacent teeth to replace a missing tooth. The bridge spans the gap with artificial teeth and attaches to the neighboring teeth to replace the lost tooth. Dental bridges are often made of plastic, porcelain, or Zirconia. Dentists ensure that the fake teeth used to replace your teeth match the color of your natural teeth. It can cover up any gaps in the mouth.
In contrast, dental implants are replacement teeth anchored into your jawbone, allowing you to have a bridge or crown attached to the implants. Titanium is used for the root of the implanted tooth. In addition, dental implants help preserve the healthy jawbones and can replace your entire set of teeth on either your upper or lower jaw or just a few teeth.
Listed below are some more in-depth differences between dental implants and bridges.
Durability
Dental implants are much better than dental bridges in the long run. Dental implants can last for decades, while dental bridges only have a ten-year lifespan. The titanium cylinders of dental implants will fuse with the jawbone, an osteointegration process. Dental bridges may fall out of place over time, and the tooth that the bridge is attached to is at high risk for decay or gum disease.
Dental Care Routine
Dental bridges might be more challenging to maintain because they are held in place by crowns that encircle them. If you need to floss beneath the artificial teeth, you may have to do so because of the design. To properly maintain oral hygiene for dental bridges, you will have to brush and floss more carefully.
Cavities and decay in nearby teeth are more likely due to this issue. It might also cause problems for the surrounding teeth that are healthy.
Dental implants will make it simpler to keep your mouth healthy because the other teeth aren’t affected nearly as much when a tooth is replaced. This makes it easy to clean and floss regularly like you would with a natural tooth.
Practicality
There are two main options for replacing missing teeth, each with advantages and disadvantages. If the teeth on either side of the gap may need crowns or caps in the future, a dental bridge might be the best choice. However, acquiring a bridge may require more tooth preparation on the surrounding teeth than other procedures.
Dental implants are usually the best option if you only need to replace a single tooth. They also offer a more resilient and long-lasting tooth. However, implants may not be an option if the bone and gums have already receded due to tooth or teeth loss.
Downtime and Invasiveness
Dental bridges are a good option if you want something less intrusive and time-consuming. You only need to see the dentist twice, about two weeks apart. On the other hand, dental implants can take anywhere from three to six months to complete.
Bone grafting may be necessary at some point for people getting dental implants. After the implants are placed, osseointegration (the process of the implant fusing to the bone) might take anywhere from three to six months to complete. Although dental implants have a 97 percent success rate, they are not without risk.
Conclusion
Dental bridges may be more affordable and convenient than implants, but they do not last as long and are trickier to maintain. Dental implants can provide a permanent replacement and allow you to eat well and talk again. But you may need to take some time for recovery before you can enjoy your artificial teeth.
As for the cost, implants can be a bit more expensive at first, but it lasts a lifetime. Dental bridges need more time and effort, but their time between replacements will be shorter. Regardless of what you choose, it’s best to get a professional’s second opinion.
Are you in need of dental implants in Danvers, MA? Danvers Aesthetic Family Dentistry offers all aspects of general and implant dentistry. Our team of dentists has years of experience helping patients understand the process of meeting their aesthetic and oral health needs. Book an appointment with our dental team now by calling us.