When Should You Opt for Dental Bridges over Dental Implants?
Approximately 69 percent of adults between 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent, and by seventy-four, twenty-five percent lose all their permanent teeth making tooth loss a common phenomenon.
When you experience tooth loss, getting suitable replacements is imperative to keep your remaining teeth aligned. Replacement teeth help you prevent challenges when speaking, eating, and maintaining the shape of your face. The two most common replacement options are dental bridges and implants.
Dental bridges are fake teeth held in place by the neighbouring teeth around the missing tooth. Porcelain or plastic helps construct dental bridges to correspond to the natural colour of your teeth. Bridges can cover one or several missing teeth.
Dental implants function as your artificial tooth roots, and biocompatible titanium helps make them. Implants are embedded in your jawbone with screws to hold a dental crown or bridge.
This article compares the benefits and downsides of dental implants and bridges while also looking at factors that might help determine which option is optimal for your needs.
Dental Implants Vs. Dental Bridges
Dental implants and bridges have their benefits and downsides, but both options deliver natural-looking results. Here is a look at how these two tooth replacement options compare.
Dental Bridge Benefits
Dental bridges will likely receive coverage from dental insurance and don’t require bone grafting or invasive surgery. The prices for dental implants are lower than dental implants, and you can have them in merely two visits to the dentist in Harriston, ON, spread over three weeks.
Dental Bridge Downsides
Dental bridges require replacements every five to seven years, although they can last for over a decade with proper care. Bridges lose their natural appearance with age. You can expect tooth decay and cavities in the surrounding teeth than with implants. The dental bridge procedure can damage the healthy neighbouring teeth beside the missing tooth gap.
Dental Implant Benefits
Dental implants last for over 15 years and are the longest-lasting tooth replacement option on the market. Implants maintain their natural-looking appearance more protracted than bridges. The healthy teeth around the implant don’t suffer damage because implants are standalone applications. Implants are incredibly successful, with over 97 percent of placements succeeding.
Dental Implant Downsides
Dental implants will likely not receive coverage from dental insurance, and the procedure for getting them is lengthily extending to nearly six months. The costs of the implants and the process is higher, and the chances of surgical complications exist.
Choosing between Implants and Bridges
Your dentist can advise on the optimal tooth replacement solution for your situation. The solution depends on your budget, the number of missing teeth besides your overall health.
If you have dental insurance, you will likely receive coverage for dental bridges and Harriston, ON, than dental implants. Unfortunately, if you don’t have insurance, you must discuss your situation with your dentist, who might offer partial dentures or other options.
Number of Missing Teeth
If you have lost more than one consecutive tooth, dental bridges will likely be a better option than dental implants. Separate implants are required for every missing tooth leading to expensive and impractical surgery.
Overall Health
Dental implants require surgery, making them an impractical option if you have medical conditions that can hinder healing. Diseases like diabetes and leukemia make you unsuitable for dental implants. The optimal candidates for dental implants must have good overall health and a healthy jawbone free from decay or gum disease to support the implant.
Time
The procedure for getting dental implants requires months, while dental bridges are installed in a couple of trips to the dentist’s office. If you decide to get dental implants, an oral surgeon must drill your jawbone to embed the titanium implant to function as your artificial tooth root. You might receive a temporary denture over the implant while waiting for your jawbone to recover. Therefore both options require careful consideration before you decide on having either of them replace your missing teeth.
Dental bridges and dental implants are excellent solutions for replacing missing teeth. If you are in good overall health and financial constraints, do not bother you; dental implants are superior for your situation because they last longer and don’t damage your neighboring teeth. Unfortunately, if you are affected by the constraints, dental bridges might suit you because they don’t require significant investment and are covered by dental insurers.
If you are confused about the choices to replace your missing teeth, Harriston Family Dentistry provides dental bridges and can help you decide on the best solution for you. Please schedule an appointment with this practice to receive your tooth replacement solution as soon as possible.
