Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants

September 12, 2018

Whether you’re a patient with missing teeth or a dentist looking to provide your patients with the best choices, it’s important to find the right teeth replacement option for each individual. At the end of the day, it’s about putting a smile back on patients’ faces and allowing them to feel confident. There are many choices out there, but two of the most popular are dental bridges and dental implants. However, you may be wondering which is right for you.

More often than not, dental implants are the ideal option. However, there are many things to consider before making a final selection. You will need to weigh the costs, benefits and effectiveness of both dental bridges and implants before deciding which is best for your unique situation.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges fill in where one or several missing teeth once were. Two natural teeth, one on each side of the gap, act as anchors to hold the bridge in place. These are abutment teeth. However, in some cases, implants are used on either side of the bridge. The false teeth that make up the bridge are referred to as pontics.

Benefits and Disadvantages of the Bridge

Every procedure has its pros and cons. The patient and dentist should weigh these out before coming to a final decision. Bridges offer a few advantages over implants, such as:

• Simple Procedure: Inserting a bridge does not require oral surgery, unlike dental implants. This means that follow-up treatment is simpler and may be more comfortable.
• Faster: The process of getting a dental bridge is traditionally much faster than getting implants.
• Strong Support: Although bridges do not last as long as dental implants, they still offer strong support patients can rely on.
• More Affordable: Different types of dental bridges vary in cost, but they generally cost less up front than implants.

Before you decide that dental bridges are for you, you should also be aware of the cons of this procedure:

• Appearance: Although natural looking, implants are considered more aesthetically pleasing.
• Replacement: Bridges need to be replaced about every five to seven years.
• Tooth Damage: To act as abutment teeth, a considerable amount of tooth structure must be removed from natural teeth on either side of the bridge.

What Are Dental Implants?

Whether you have lost your teeth or you must have a tooth extraction, dental implants are another tooth replacement option. This involves the implantation of a titanium post which acts as a tooth root supporting a natural-looking crown. The implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Although this process traditionally involves waiting until the post is fused to the jawbone, which can take several months, some dentists will insert the post and crown during the same procedure. Before cementing or screwing in the crown, an abutment is attached to the post frame from which it can be secured.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Many dentists and patients prefer dental implants for an assortment of reasons, including:

• Low Maintenance: Dental implants can be treated like normal teeth, brushing and flossing as you normally would. Whereas bridges require special tools for flossing and brushing.
• More Natural: Implants look and feel like natural teeth, with most unable to distinguish any difference.
• Protects the Jawbone: When there is a missing tooth, your jaw is at risk of bone deterioration. Implants stimulate bone growth and preserve the structure of the jaw.
• No Teeth Strain: Because they have their own “root,” implants don’t put a strain on other teeth like a bridge does.
• Longer Lasting: Implants have been found to last 15 or more years.

There are a few drawbacks to implants, such as:

• Surgery: Implants do require surgery, making the procedure more complicated than dental bridges.
• More Time: Traditionally, it takes about three to six months before a dental implant can be completed.
• Cost: There is a higher initial cost associated with implants. However, because they last longer, you may save money in the long run.

Experience Superior Dental Products at Hiossen® Implants

If you’re a clinician, we would love for you to contact us to learn more about our dental implants and other products. You can also locate a representative in your area with our zip-code tool.