Missing teeth can affect your bite function, speech, appearance, confidence, oral hygiene, and health. Whether you’ve lost teeth due to severe tooth decay, gum disease, or dental trauma, replacing your teeth as soon as possible is a great idea. Dental implants and bridges may be your best option when considering tooth replacement. Continue reading to determine which of the two treatments might be right for you.
Teeth implants are artificial tooth roots implanted into the jawbone like your natural teeth’s roots. The implant bonds with the jawbone to become a permanent part of your mouth. Then, a dental crown is placed on the implant to act like an artificial tooth.
A tooth bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth supported by dental crowns anchored on two or more healthy dental implants. Dental bridges are fixed, unlike dentures, and you shouldn’t remove them when sleeping or cleaning. Visit our clinic for dental bridges near you.
Below are common factors to keep in mind when choosing between dental bridges and implants:
When it comes to your smile, choose the treatment that provides the most natural smile. While both dental implants and bridges offer a full and beautiful smile, dental implants provide a more natural smile. They’re made to be like a natural tooth from the roots to the outer crown. Dental bridges may have a poor outcome since adjacent teeth support them.
Comfort is also a key factor to consider. You don’t want something that hurts your teeth and gums. Your replacement should feel like a natural tooth and allow you to eat, speak, and smile without discomfort.
Comparing the two, dental implants are designed to work like natural teeth and offer more comfort than bridges. Since they fit into the jawbone, they won’t slip or fall off when speaking or eating.
Still, both implants and bridges shouldn’t cause any discomfort. Notify your dentist if your implant or bridge feels wrong. While dental bridges should also fit comfortably, getting used to speaking and eating with them may take a while.
If you’re missing multiple teeth that are next to each other, a dental bridge is a best and most cost-effective option. With traditional implants, you would need to get an implant for every missing tooth and undergo multiple surgeries, which can be costly and uncomfortable.
Since dental implants are implanted into the jawbone, they stimulate jawbone growth. However, dental bridges rest on the socket and thus don’t provide any chewing stimulation to the jawbone, which can lead to deterioration.
Placing dental implants requires surgical intervention. You may need further surgeries if you don’t have enough jawbone density to support an implant sufficiently. For patients looking for less invasive treatment, bridges are ideal. Patients with certain conditions that can affect implant surgery, like diabetes and leukemia, can also opt for bridges. Placing bridges only requires the dentist to shape the anchor tooth, which is less invasive than implant surgery.
If you’re looking for a quick solution, you get a dental bridge in less than one month in about two appointments. However, dental implant treatment typically takes 3 – 9 months and requires several appointments.
The cost of placing a bridge is far less than that of an implant. While a single bridge ranges between $700 and $1500, a single implant can cost from $900 to $3,000. While an implant may look expensive, it may be more cost-effective in the long run. With proper care, an implant can last a lifetime, while a bridge lasts only 15 – 20 years, after which you’ll need a replacement. Consult our dentist in Plymouth, NH, to know precisely how much your restoration will cost.
Dental bridges may be ideal if you’re looking for a quick, less invasive solution and have multiple missing teeth. On the other hand, dental implants are best if you’re looking for the closest thing to your lost tooth. It offers incredible strength, stability, appearance, and durability.
For more information about dental bridges and other dental restorative treatments, contact Dental Arts of Plymouth.
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