Missing Tooth Replacement: Dental Bridge Vs. Implant

Losing a tooth is common; once it happens, one needs to get a replacement to keep your tooth aligned. Tooth replacement helps one to maintain their facial structure and prevent eating and speech challenges. Dental options to consider when replacing teeth include dental implants and bridges. At Indian Creek Family Dentistry, we recommend our patients speak with a dentist for an evaluation to help them choose a suitable treatment option.

Dental Implants

Dental implants restore missing teeth by adding a new tooth and crown into your mouth. They are designed to co-exist with your natural teeth to look, function, and feel natural. Dental implants have three parts: a titanium post, an abutment, and the crown.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges fill in the gaps of one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges consist of crowns on either side of the tooth gap or teeth supporting the false tooth and are cemented into place. There are four main dental bridges near you, including cantilever bridges, traditional fixed bridges, Maryland bridges, and implant-supported bridges. Each of these bridges has perks and is recommended depending on your dental structure situation.

Factors Considered When Choosing Tooth Replacement Treatment

Our dentist in Trafalgar will discuss various factors with you when selecting the best choice for your treatment.

Cost

While dental bridges will cost less initially, you will still need to consider the possibility of future replacement. Dental implants, from consultation to a final replacement, can be expensive but money-saving in the long run.

Luckily, some dental insurance providers will pay for a portion of the dental implant process. In addition, dental implants will take more time to complete, and this allows patients to have more time to save money.

Durability

Dental implants have a longer lifespan compared to bridges. The titanium post fixed into the jawbone fuses with the surrounding tissues naturally. In addition, dental implants have a high decay resistance. If dental implants are well cared for, they can last a lifetime, and other than the normal wear and tear of the crown, which can be replaced after every 15-20 years.

Dental bridges will last for about ten years. The whole bridge will have to be replaced when it comes to replacement. This is because a portion of your natural teeth is still beneath it and is susceptible to decay and gum infections.

Oral Care Hygiene

It’s simpler to maintain oral hygiene with an implant than with bridges. A dental bridge consists of at least three connected crowns filling the tooth gaps while anchoring to the replacement tooth. This design can make flossing and brush challenging and will require meticulous cleaning. When flossing, you will need an additional step to thread the floss under the false tooth to prevent the development of gum infections.

On the other hand, dental implants are directly fixed into the jawbone and the gums individually without interfering with other teeth. Due to this, one can floss and brush the implants you do with your natural teeth. Dental implants dental hygiene is more straightforward and more effective.

Number of Teeth

Dental bridges are better if you have more than one missing tooth. Dental implants are individually placed into each missing tooth. This becomes more expensive and impractical if you are replacing more teeth.

Your Overall Health

Surgery is required during a dental implant procedure. This may not be an option for people with medical conditions that could slow healing, such as leukemia or diabetes. Also, you will have to have a jawbone that is free of decay and adequate to support the implant.

Anyone with existing and missing teeth can get a dental bridge in Trafalgar.

Treatment Time

Dental implant treatment will take months, while dental bridges can be installed within two dental appointments spread over a couple of weeks. When you receive a dental implant, the dentist must drill into your jawbone and place the titanium post. This will take two to six months for the bone to heal and fuse with the metal post.

What Happens If Missing Teeth Are Not Replaced

• Bite issues such as overbite and underbites.

• Jawbone deterioration.

• Shifting of teeth eventually leads to misalignment.

• Over-eruption of the opposing teeth leads to teeth unevenness.

• Difficulties when drinking, speaking, and chewing.