Dental Bridge vs. Implant: How to Choose Right One?

Tooth loss is a common problem affecting millions of people. People lose teeth for various reasons, but tooth decay, periodontal disease, injuries, and old age are the top reasons. If you lose a tooth or teeth, you must visit our dentist near you to get a tooth replacement.

In our era, you cannot miss a top tooth replacement option that will alter your smiles, such as tooth implants and dental bridges.

Dental bridges and dental implants have altered countless smiles throughout the years. However, it could be challenging for you to decide which one will suit you best. If this is your dilemma, you have come to the right place. Let’s get to it!

Dental Bridges 101

Dental bridges in Northlake, IL, are used to “bridge” the space created when you lose a tooth. It also plays another critical role: stopping the other teeth from shifting into space.

In a nutshell, a typical dental bridge comprises a false tooth or pontics and two dental crowns on each side of the false tooth. The false tooth covers the gap, and the two dental crowns hold the bridge.

The dental bridge requires that you have two healthy teeth adjacent to the space created when you lose a tooth. These teeth will anchor the two dental crowns attached to the false tooth. Simply put, a dental bridge needs your healthy teeth to be functional.

Several types of dental bridges exist. You can choose the following: cantilever bridges, traditional bridges, implant-supported bridges, and Maryland bridges.

Some of the benefits that come with dental bridges are:

• Restores speech
• Distributes the bite force
• He doesn’t need surgery
• Requires fewer dental visits
• The upfront cost is not as much as dental implants

Whatever has benefits will not miss having its shortcomings, and some of them are:

• They don’t last for a long time and would require you to replace them after every five to seven years
• The surrounding teeth will be more prone to cavities and tooth decay
• Can damage the surrounding teeth
• They lose their appearance after sometime

Dental Implants 101

On the other hand, there are dental implants, which are inserted into the jawbone. This option differs from the rest since the aim is to replace the entire tooth, including the roots.

Most dental implants are fashioned from titanium. Titanium is a very good material since it is sturdy and biocompatible. Our dentist will insert it into your jawbone through dental surgery. Once it is in place, it takes a few months for the jawbone and the implant to fuse. Our dentist can place the abutment (a connector) and the preferred tooth replacement (crown, bridge, or denture) when this phase is done.

Dental implants are arguably the best tooth replacement option out there since they boast the following benefits:

• They can last for 15 years or more, depending on how you care for them
• Retain a more natural-looking appearance longer than dental bridges
• They promote jawbone health
• They are stable and sturdy since they are attached to the jawbone
• They don’t damage the surrounding teeth

Despite the excellent benefits, they too have their shortcomings, such as:

• The process may take six months or more to complete
• Higher upfront cost than dental bridges
• It is a more invasive procedure since surgery is involved
• There is a chance that surgical complications may arise

Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges

To find out the best option in your scenario, you may have to consider the following:

Number of Missing Teeth

If you need to replace more than one consecutive tooth, you should use dental bridges. In such cases, a dental implant may be more expensive since you will need separate implants for each tooth.

Time

Dental implants take a long time before you can receive them. However, dental bridges near you would be much faster if you wish to get a quick solution. In two visits, you will have the smile you wanted. But if you don’t mind waiting, then go for tooth implants.

Overall Health

Dental implants need surgery, which means that this procedure depends on your overall health. If you have diabetes or any other condition that hinders healing, then implants may be a challenge. However, if your overall health is fine, then go for it.

Cost

Dental insurance will most likely cover the cost of a dental bridge than a dental implant. Therefore, if you wish to get implants, you should consider how else you can pay.

What’s the Verdict?

All in all, choose what suits you. Both of the options are good and can replace the missing teeth. But if you wish to clarify a few things, contact us at Smiles of Northlake.