Dental Implants versus Dental Bridges
With proper oral care, patients can maintain the integrity of their natural teeth for years. Due to poor oral health, though, some patients need to have a tooth or multiple teeth pulled. There are also situations in which an accident occurs that knocks one or more teeth out. Whatever the case may be, if a patient has one or more teeth missing, it’s imperative for them to find a replacement to maintain their oral health, and their ability to bite and chew. Two popular tooth
replacement options are dental implants and dental bridges.
What Are Implants?
Dental implants are replacements for one or more missing teeth that involve the placement of a titanium rod or a metal frame into the jawbone to hold a false tooth or set of teeth in place.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are dental prosthetics that involve the placement of a pontic that is held in place by one or more abutments. Occasionally a frame behind the teeth is used instead.
Why Implants?
Implants are a popular option due to their strength, durability and aesthetic appearance. Due to their placement in the jawbone, implants are able to withstand more bite pressure, and are stronger overall. Implants typically also last quite a bit longer than other options.
Why Bridges?
Dental bridges are a good choice for patients that either cannot afford dental implants, or are not good candidates for implants. While dental bridges can also be aesthetically pleasing, they generally are not as durable as implants. Still, dental bridges offer some bite support, and help to keep teeth from migrating.
The Right Choice for You
The choice between a dental implant and a dental bridge comes down to a variety of factors. One factor is the cost, which can be higher upfront for implants. It is important to note, though, that implants generally last longer. Because of this, the cost is often lower in the long run (as they need to be replaced less often).
Another major factor in the choice between an implant and a bridge will be the integrity of the jawbone, and its ability to handle the placement procedure involved with the installation of implants. Because dental implants involve the placement of titanium rods (or sometimes a metal frame) in the jawbone, the bone tissue needs to be strong enough to support the procedure. If it is not, a patient may not be a candidate for a dental implant.
For some patients, a bone graft will allow them to have an implant placed. It is important to note that a bone graft is not guaranteed. Sometimes bone grafts don’t work, which means implants will not be an option. For patients with jawbones that aren’t strong enough to support an implant, a dental bridge is likely the best option.
If you have a tooth that you need to have replaced, speak with your dentist about which replacement option is available to you, and which option best fits your budget.
Wake Dental Care (located in Cary, NC) is the areas leader in dental implant dentistry. Contact our office today to setup an appointment and see if dental implants are the right fit for you.
If you're interested in learning more about dental implants in general, here's some reading on the determining whether or not you're a candidate for dental implants.