Losing a tooth or teeth can have a significant impact on both the functionality and aesthetics of a smile and can also affect a person’s self-confidence. For these reasons, it’s important to replace a missing tooth or teeth as soon as possible. Two tried and tested solutions that dental professionals use are a dental bridge and a dental implant.
In this post, we’re going to look at a dental bridge for teeth vs an implant to see which is the better option.
While both an implant and a bridge address the same fundamental challenges, at a technical level at least, they remain two very different entities – and therefore, are two very different options that you need to consider. Let’s start by taking a closer look at each method.
Firstly the dental bridge
Dental bridges have been used to replace missing teeth for centuries. In fact, excavations of Egyptian tombs have uncovered primitive forms of dental bridgework dating back to 1900 BC. In essence, a dental bridge consists of a false tooth (known as the pontic tooth) that is held in position by supporting abutment crowns that fit over the teeth located on either side of the gap. The pontic tooth effectively ‘bridges’ or spans the gap to give the impression of a complete smile – hence the name.
The advantage of a traditional dental bridge is that it is a non-surgical procedure carried out over a couple of visits. As a result, it’s ideal for those who don’t want to or can’t undergo oral surgery and is a cost-effective option.
In terms of functionality, a bridge allows a patient to eat and chew normally and as there is no longer a gap in the smile, it ticks most of the boxes from an aesthetic standpoint too.
On the flip side, one of the main disadvantages of a dental bridge is that to secure the pontic restoration the adjacent teeth next to the gap are shaved down to accommodate the supporting crowns. This may compromise them in the long term.
Now for dental implants
Unlike a dental bridge which relies on adjacent teeth for support, a dental implant is itself a standalone structure that is surgically placed into the jawbone at the missing tooth site. Consisting of a titanium metal post a dental implant is a specially engineered appliance designed to encourage the growth of new bone. Over several months, bone grows around the implanted metal structure and creates a solid foundation upon which to place a dental crown.
One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is that they place zero burden on adjacent teeth. Moreover, because they are implanted directly into the jaw a dental implant can halt the bone loss process that occurs naturally when teeth are missing. Finally, a dental implant is a permanent fixture in the mouth and has been proven to last for many years.
The disadvantages of dental implants are that the treatment itself can be costly, especially when other treatments such as bone grafting or sinus lifting are required. The other disadvantage is that dental implant success relies heavily on natural processes such as bone fusion (osseointegration) to take place. This takes several months at best or sometimes longer to achieve. As a result, the process for just one dental implant can be lengthy – typically somewhere between 4-9 months to complete.
So now we’ve looked at the pros and cons of bridges for teeth vs implants, which is best for you?
Surgery vs non-surgery
While you might consider the non-surgical dental bridge approach to be the best option, you should also remember that because a conventional bridge isn’t anchored directly into the mouth, it isn’t as durable as a dental implant and therefore, isn’t likely to last as long. As a result, there is a chance that the bridge will need replacing at some point in your life at an additional cost. Dental implants, on the other hand, can if cared for correctly last a lifetime, so they shouldn’t ever need replacing.
On top of this, modern surgical methods are quick and comfortable. In fact, most people are surprised at just how comfortable dental implants surgery is. In some cases, a patient can be back to work within 1-2 days.
Short term cost saving vs long-term investment
While conventional dental bridges represent a cost-saving in the short term, the long-term outlook for anyone opting for dental implants represents a big leap forward in terms of investment in overall health and wellbeing. Dental implants patients can typically eat what they like giving them the chance to adopt a healthy lifestyle if they choose, while aesthetically, dental implants present a more natural appearance giving the patient an added confidence boost.
So bridges for teeth vs implants which is right for you?
The most important thing that you can do to ensure the right treatment is to talk to a dental professional. They will assess your situation and weigh up any specific considerations before making the right recommendations for you.
Here at No Gaps Dental we have 15 convenient locations throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area for your convenience. Our highly skilled teams will always take a measured approach to tooth replacement based on your concerns, needs and of course requirements. So if you are a little unsure about bridges for teeth vs implants and which option works best for your given situation, then we can help.
Schedule a consultation with a No Gaps Dental team by calling us on (02) 8806 0227 today and let us show you how we can help.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.