Generally, dental bridges and dental implants serve the same purpose—to replace one or more missing natural teeth. In this article, we discuss how to choose the right tooth-replacement option.
Dental Bridge vs. Implant: How to Choose the Right Tooth-Replacement Option
Below, we describe the procedures of dental bridges and dental implants, their requirements, and advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision about what option might be more suitable in your case.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth (or multiple teeth) that literally bridges over the gap where a natural tooth used to be. It is attached to the natural teeth on both sides of the gap or to one tooth in some cases. A bridge can replace one missing tooth or multiple missing teeth in a row.
A bridge is an effective and reliable tooth-replacement solution that can last up to 15 years with proper care. However, it has some disadvantages:
- Supporting teeth are often filed down to accommodate the bridge-supporting crowns, sacrificing healthy tooth structure.
- Supporting teeth withstand increased pressure, which can damage, fracture, or weaken them over time, requiring additional treatments.
- Plaque and bacteria can accumulate under the bridge if oral hygiene is insufficient, increasing the risk of gum disease.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth, which consists of two main parts: a metal screw-like post and a crown. The metal post is surgically placed directly into the jawbone, fuses with it over time, and acts as the roots of a natural tooth. As a result, dental implants have a number of advantages compared to other types of dental restorations:
- Implants look and function like natural teeth, providing security in everyday use.
- Implants offer superior bite force (up to 95% of your natural bite force) compared to other types of dental restorations, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of foods.
- Implants can be cleaned like natural teeth and typically do not require special adjustments to your oral hygiene routine.
- Implants prevent jawbone resorption by stimulating bone growth, as natural teeth do.
However, not everyone can have dental implants, as successful implant placement requires sufficient jawbone density, good oral health, and general health that allow the implant to heal and fuse with the bone. Some systemic health conditions, such as AIDS, certain types of cancer, and uncontrolled diabetes, can make a dental implant procedure undesirable or lead to its failure.
If oral health issues, such as cavities or gum disease, are present, they must be treated or adequately managed before the procedure. Also, people with insufficient jawbone density might require additional procedures, such as bone grafting, before dental implants can be considered.
Should I Choose a Dental Bridge or a Dental Implant
To sum up the information we discussed in this article, the choice between a dental bridge and an implant depends on the following factors:
- The number of teeth that have to be replaced
- Your budget: an implant might be considerably more expensive than a bridge, especially if additional procedures are required
- The condition of your jawbone and gums
- Your general health
- Your personal preferences
Get a High-Quality Tooth Replacement at Tropic Dental Care
If you need to replace a missing tooth, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at Tropic Dental Care. At our dental office, we use modern diagnostic and treatment methods and high-quality materials to provide reliable solutions for every patient. We are looking forward to your visit.
