Missing teeth can affect your mental and physical health. You may cover your mouth when you speak, or feel too embarrassed to smile or laugh. Missing teeth can also cause tooth decay and eventually cause more teeth to fall out.
It’s important that you see a dentist as soon as possible to prevent bone decay, cavities and further tooth loss. There are several solutions for missing teeth, both permanent and removable. Although similar, when looking at the benefits of dental implants versus bridges, dental implants are the clear winner.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium posts that sit in your jawbone and mimic a natural tooth root. Because they fuse with your jawbone, a titanium dental implant can last a lifetime.
Dental implants require two surgeries and several appointments. You’ll need to make an initial appointment, at which your dentist determines if dental implants are right for you. Then, you’ll have a dental implant surgery, which will require about 48 hours of recovery time.
Once your bone and implant have fused together, you’ll have a second surgery to fit the abutment, which is a small hook connecting the implant post and the dental crown.
Finally, your dentist creates a long-lasting artificial tooth to complete your smile.
How Do Dental Bridges Work?
Dental bridges consist of two crowns that support a pontic, or false tooth. The two crowns sit on the abutment teeth either side of the gap, while the pontic fills the space where your tooth was. At No Gaps Dental, we use tooth-coloured material for the dental bridge to look as natural as possible.
To attach the crowns, your dentist shaves the abutment teeth before cementing the dental crowns in place. This can sometimes result in damage to healthy teeth because some dental structure is removed. However, once the procedure is finished, you’ll be able to eat normally and enjoy a full smile.
Dental Implants Versus Bridges
When you’re considering dental implants versus bridges, you’ll want to compare more than just the cost of the procedures. Health benefits, longevity, potential complications, and how the final product looks affect whether dental implants or dental bridges are a better option for your oral health.
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Health Benefits
Dental implants provide many health benefits. When you have a gap in your smile, other teeth shift, resulting in tooth decay or crooked teeth.
Along with its artificial crown, a dental implant acts just like a natural tooth, preventing misalignment. It can also help prevent bone resorption and help your jawbone increase in density. If you have lost several teeth, you’ll want to consider a dental implant to help ensure that you don’t lose too much of your bone density resulting in a hollowed and aged appearance. This is one of the most important differences in the comparison of dental implants versus bridges.
Although your dentist can use a bone graft to increase your jaw’s bone density, you’ll need about three months to recover from the procedure.
Dental implants can also improve your speech and allow you to enjoy your favourite foods.
Like dental implants, dental bridges prevent your teeth from shifting, but will not affect your jawbone density, meaning you could still experience problems. You will also have to carefully choose your food since the bridge could sustain damage from chewing hard vegetables, staining foods like coffee or red sauce, and sticky foods like gum.
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Longevity
One of the greatest differences when considering dental implants versus dental bridges is how long your tooth replacement will last. Depending on the material used, dental bridges last between five and fifteen years. Although you can extend their lifespan by following your dentist’s care instructions, you may need to replace your dental bridges several times due to jawbone resorption. Some patients need regular replacements because of jawbone resorption, which can change the shape of your mouth.
Dental implants last a lifetime. Titanium is an incredibly durable material, and once it fuses with your jawbone, it becomes a part of your body. The visible part of the dental implant, the crown or artificial tooth, can last up to 20 years with the proper care. Replacing the artificial tooth is a relatively simple process that doesn’t require surgery.
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Complications
Dental bridges can cause damage to surrounding teeth, and it can be difficult for your dentist to treat any cavities that develop in the teeth supporting the crown. In contract, the dental implant procedure is minimally invasive and doesn’t affect the teeth adjacent to the gap.
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How It Looks
Because a dental implant fuses to your jawbone, you can eat, talk, and smile as if you have all your natural teeth.
Dental bridges also look like natural teeth, since they use a similar artificial tooth as a dental implant. However, because the abutments are on top of your other teeth, they could show when you laugh or open your mouth.
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Maintenance
A dental implant requires no special maintenance other than brushing, flossing, and regular dentist appointments. To clean dental bridges, you’ll need to use superfloss, a special tool that allows you to clean the area under the bridge. It can be challenging to clear all the plaque away, meaning that you could develop cavities from trapped food particles and tartar build-up.
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Cost
Although dental implants may be more expensive upfront, they don’t require regular replacement or upkeep. Since dental bridges need to be replaced every five to fifteen years, the cost can add up over time.
Start the Process For Your Dental Implant Today
If you have missing teeth and want to fix it permanently, dental implants are an excellent option. Call No Gaps Dental today on (02) 8007 6727 to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about the benefits of dental implants versus bridges. With a dental implant from No Gaps Dental, you can smile with confidence.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.