Dental Implants Vs Dental Bridges

Missing teeth can have an important impact on the appearance of your smile while building functionality problems. It also can set a dangerous impression in your self-confidence. Two of the various standard solutions that dental specialists use to address these difficulties are dental implants and dental bridges.

While both approaches fundamentally address the same challenges, they present, at a technical level, very different options for you to consider. If you are looking for the right solution for missing teeth, it’s important to understand the treatment options that are available to you. It’s also crucial to gain an understanding of what each entails before deciding if it’s right for your specific needs. Here’s what you need to know about implants and bridges and finding what’s best for you.

What is a Dental Implant?

The underlying structure of a tooth is more complicated than most people appreciate. When this structure which includes bone, ligaments, and nerves is removed, the neighboring area slowly begins to deteriorate.

A dental implant restores this structure with a metal post, typically one fabricated of titanium. Over the period of a couple of months, the new bone should grow around the implanted metal. Once the fresh structure is experimented by your dentist and certified secure enough, a crown will then be screwed on top of the implant and sealed into place.

Dental Implant Advantage and Disadvantage

One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is they place less of a burden on the surrounding teeth and promote healing of bone structures and gums under the teeth. They also tend to reduce long-term risks posed to the jaw. Frequently, a high-quality dental implant should be supposed to last a lifetime.

A disadvantage of dental implants is they can be an expensive treatment. Particularly in situations where a large number of specific teeth need to be replaced in many spots. When trying to replace a particularly large number of teeth, it’s not unusual for dentists to recommend a traditional dental bridge instead of an implant.

Implants also tend to take longer and require multiple procedures to complete. Dental Implant Surgery is often required, and your mouth may take months to heal following the initial implant procedure. In all but the most extreme cases, bridge work will typically take no more than a few weeks.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge attaches to the remaining healthy teeth surrounding a gap to create a bridge across the area in a recipient’s smile. In more traditional versions of the procedure, the two teeth on opposite sides of a gap are shaved down to accommodate a bridge.

A cap is then placed over each tooth and is accompanied by the bridge, replacing the missing teeth. In parts of the mouth that can handle less force or where only one tooth is missing, dentists now often use a winged or Maryland bridge that’s embedded into the adjacent teeth, slightly than one that fully caps them.

In some instances, there may not be teeth on both sides of a gap. One approach to this problem is to install what’s called a cantilevered bridge. This type of bridge is attached to a single tooth on one side, and the bridge structure hangs over the gap.

Dental Bridge Advantage and Disadvantage

The main advantage of bridges is that they are considered to be one of the most cost-effective methods for replacing missing teeth. Another advantage of bridges is they don’t require bone grafting if bone loss is present. Bridges also offer a quicker process for replacing missing teeth.

One of the biggest disadvantages of bridges is that they place greater strain on surrounding structures, especially the two teeth which are attached to the device. For this reason, a bridge rarely is expected to last a lifetime. Bridges also do not address concerns about underlying structural problems. This means that long-term issues arising from bone loss due to the removal of teeth will continue to advance even after the gap is addressed.

Cantilevered bridges are especially notorious for creating problems. They place a vital amount of strain on the single tooth to which they’re connected. Maryland bridges also frequently come with difficulties, due to their least amount of attachment and limited capacity to absorb force. Also, if a Maryland bridge is not properly maintained, it may lead to the loss of additional teeth.