Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants: Making the Right Choice

Tooth loss is one of the major dental issues that people experience. It is very important to get an ideal replacement done in time to maintain the alignment of the rest of the teeth. Among the available treatment options, dental bridges and dental implants are considered the best bets!

Dental bridges are artificial teeth that are placed in the affected area, with support from the surrounding teeth. Dental implants, on the other hand, are artificial teeth that are mounted over the jawbone with the use of screws for holding a bridge or crown in place.

Both treatment options are quite effective in their own ways, but to decide on one, you must be aware of them in much more detail. So, let’s take this article forward and give you a glimpse at dental bridges vs. dental implants, to help you decide on what’s better for you.

What is a Dental Implant?

As you know the underlying dental structure is more complicated than what most people have knowledge about. This structure consists of ligaments, bones, nerves, and other crucial parts. When they are removed, the area surrounding them also starts to deteriorate, which results in complete compromise of the oral structure over time.

The advantages of dental implants are undeniable, as they replace the missing tooth and its dental structure with the use of a metal post, mostly made out of titanium. Over the course of a few months, it is expected that the new bone shall grow around that installed metal piece. And once the structure has been tested by the dentist, a crown will then be screwed over the implant.

Now you know what is dental implantin detail! So, here are some pros and cons of dental implantsfor you to relate if it is effective for your condition or not:

Pros:

  • Dental implants can last for more than 15 years and are considered the most long-lasting treatment option for tooth loss.
  • Helps you retain the natural appeal of your oral structure and hold onto it for longer than what dental bridges do.
  • These implants don’t damage the healthy teeth that surround the implant.
  • As per NLM, the success rate for dental implants is around 97%.

Cons:

  • Insurance policies don’t cover dental implant surgery.
  • This process can take up to 6 months to complete
  • The upfront cost is quite high

What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is also a tooth loss treatment where an artificial tooth is attached to the surrounding healthy teeth. As the name of the treatment suggests, such an attachment creates a bridge between the two healthy teeth for completing your smile. The dentists might have to shave your natural teeth on the opposite sides of the gap created by a missing tooth to accommodate the bridge.

A cap will then be placed over all three teeth and will then be accompanied by the bridge as the replacement tooth. For situations where there is only one tooth missing, dentists prefer using the winged bridges embedded into the surrounding teeth. In some cases, there might not be teeth present on both sides of the gap, for which a cantilevered bridge is then recommended as the solution.

In a cantilever bridge solution, the artificial structure will be attached to one end of the tooth, while the other end of it will be hanging right over that gap. Now, you understand what is a dental bridge for sure! So, let’s assess the pros and cons of dental bridges treatment procedure as well:

Pros:

  • Insurance companies will cover this treatment under their policies.
  • Bone grafting or surgery isn’t required.
  • The upfront cost is lower than that of dental implants.
  • Requires only two to two-week visits for your dentist to complete the procedure.

Cons:

  • Need replacement after every 5 to 7 years.
  • Loses its natural appearance after a couple of years.
  • Tooth decay or cavity issues might increase around the site.

How to Decide on Whether You Need Dental Bridges or Dental Implants?

Hiring the right dentist is of utmost importance to get an idea of what would work well for your tooth loss condition, dental implants, or dental bridges. Based on the doctor’s assessment, some of the factors that you will be asked to consider for choosing one among the two options are:

1.   Cost of the Treatment

Remember, if you have dental insurance, then a dental bridge treatment is more likely to be covered with it than that of dental implants. But you can still check with your insurance provider for any special causes. If you don’t have any insurance, budget consideration is your only option. Dental bridgesare less expensive than dental implants, but both have their own pros & cons. So, do assess them alongside cost!

2.   Count of Missing Teeth

If you have more than one tooth missing in your oral structure, it is better to get a dental bridge treatment, than that of the implants. It is because when there are multiple missing teeth, dental implant treatment will be approached by attaching metal posts to your jawbone for each of them. Thus, it would make the procedure too expensive, and the surgery would also turn out to be complicated.

3.   Overall Health

Dental implants do need surgical intervention, for which they might not be suitable for most people with certain underlying medical conditions such as leukemia or diabetes. For such people, dental bridges are considered more practical and healthy alternatives. Dental implants are considered ideal treatment options for people who have a decay-free jawbone, healthy enough to support the metal post.

4.   Time Needed for the Treatment

Dental implants can demand a few months for completion of the treatment, whereas dental bridges can be installed in just two visits. Dentists might call you for routine checkups when with bridges for some days within the next two weeks. Depending on your time preference and doctor’s suggestion, go with the relevant option!

Conclusion

So, this is a clear understanding of what dental implants and dental bridges are for replacing your lost tooth. Both of these treatments are best in their own ways to help you retain your lost smile and confidence. Dental implant benefitsare undeniable, but the convenience of dental bridges is also appreciable! And Evans Family Dentistry is your one-stop hub to execute your required treatment option with utmost proficiency.

We have the best dentists working with us, who will examine and execute the selected procedure with utmost care and professionalism. So, no matter what won the battle between bridges vs implants for you, we are here to address either of the options! So, book your appointment with Evans Family Dentistry today!

By Anurag Rathod

Anurag Rathod is an Editor of Appclonescript.com, who is passionate for app-based startup solutions and on-demand business ideas. He believes in spreading tech trends. He is an avid reader and loves thinking out of the box to promote new technologies.