Dental Bridges vs Dental Implants

If you are missing one or more teeth and are considering a dental prosthetic to replace the missing tooth (teeth) you may be weighing your options and trying to decide if a dental bridge is right for you or if a dental implant is the way to go. A dental bridge used to be the only way to go. If you were missing teeth, you would simply go and have the bridge installed. Recently however, the dental prosthetic technology has made tremendous growth and the popularity of dental implants has been on the rise. There are several factors to think about when deciding between the two.

What’s the difference?

There are several major differences between the two. A bridge is a more invasive device in several ways. For starters, a bridge involves more than just the missing tooth (teeth). The teeth surrounding the missing tooth have to be “prepped” by either filing down the tooth or filling in the tooth in order to fit the crown over it. The bridge will involve at least two crowns that will have to be permanently cemented in. This is not a bad way to go if the surrounding teeth are going to need a crown someday anyways. If the teeth surrounding the missing tooth are perfectly healthy, it is important to consider the alterations that will have to be made to them. An implant on the other hand, does not involve any other teeth. It is simply placed in
the space left from the missing tooth.

Bridges are also more challenging to care for. The general design of the bridge requires lots of intricate brushing and flossing in order to get in the cracks and crevasses created by the prosthetic. Implants are much easier to care for because they are just another tooth in your mouth. Normal flossing and brushing will do the trick.

Bridges and implants also have different lifespans. Bridges typically last around 10 years. The challenge of care and structural design make them not able to last a lifetime. An implant, on the other hand, is designed and constructed to last a lifetime.

Which is right for you?

One of the most important factors in determining which course is right for you is the length of time that your teeth have been missing. If you have lost the tooth recently or if you are preparing to lose the tooth, a dental implant is a viable option for you. Once the tooth is out, your dentist will fit you for the implant and install it. If, however, your tooth was lost a long time ago, an implant will not be an option for you. Over time, your bones and tissues shift and change in your mouth after tooth loss. If this has happened to you, an implant will simply not work.

The cost of the two procedures may also be a determining factor for you. A dental bridge will initially cost less than an implant. Over time though, when the bridge eventually needs to be replaced, the cost will become comparable. If you have to have a bridge replaced multiple times, the bridge will ultimately become more expensive.

More About Dental Bridges : How Much Does a Dental Bridge Cost?