Are you missing any teeth? Dental bridges and dental implants are both solutions for tooth loss that restore dental function and the cosmetic appearance of a healthy jaw. With either bridges or implants, you can smile, laugh, and eat normally and confidently again. That doesn’t mean that they’re the same, though. In fact, there are many important differences between implants and dental bridges in Cranbrook.
Are you choosing a solution for your tooth loss? Dentures and bridges may both suit your needs, but we want you to understand the distinctions between them and to have all the information you need to make an informed decision in consultation with your dentist in Cranbrook.
What is a bridge?
A bridge is a dental restoration that is anchored to healthy teeth on either side of a gap left behind by one or more missing teeth. The bridge is usually anchored with a crown that is slipped over the top of the teeth on either side after those teeth are prepared to receive it. Replacement teeth are suspended in the gap. Bridges are usually permanently in place, rather than removable.
What is an implant?
An implant is not a replacement tooth so much as a replacement root that is permanently inserted into your jaw bone. A variety of restorations can be attached to the implant using an abutment, including individual replacement teeth or even bridges so they don’t need to be anchored to prepared natural teeth at either end of a gap.
Is one more durable than the other?
Once the titanium dental implant bonds to your jaw bone through osseointegration, it is accepted as and may as well be a natural tooth root fused to the bone. This makes implants a far more durable option than bridges which rely on the health and structure of the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Even a bridge supported by an implant will be more vulnerable to damage and wear than an implant. Implants may last a lifetime. An average dental bridge has a lifespan of approximately 10 years.
Is one more attractive than the other?
The replacement teeth supported by an implant or bridge will all be artificial and tailored to match your remaining healthy teeth, gums, lips, and face naturally. Aesthetically, there will be very little difference between replacement teeth supported by implants or a bridge.
Is one healthier than the other?
Bridges are anchored by natural teeth, which may have to be altered to act as anchors. The replacement teeth themselves, though, rest on top of your gums. That does allow food and bacteria to build up, meaning you’ll need to specifically clean around and under your bridge to keep your gums healthy. Implants, on the other hand, do not need any special hygiene steps.
Bridges do nothing to support your bone health. They will not slow down the gradual atrophy of your jaw bone in the absence of natural teeth, which may eventually change the shape of your bite and even your face. On the other hand, an implant replaces the tooth’s root in a biocompatible way accepted by the body as natural and that actually stimulates new and healthy bone growth.
Which is more expensive?
The upfront cost of bridges in Cranbrook is lower than the cost of implants. Bridges can even be provided in one or two dental appointments separated by weeks, as opposed to implants which can take a year to complete the process and procedures. That duration of treatment may allow flexibility for payment for implants over time, which is one advantage. The difference in their upfront cost is mitigated somewhat by the fact that implants may last a lifetime rather than having to be replaced every decade or so.
Which option is best for resolving your tooth loss? After reviewing all this information, the answer to that question may be a bit clearer than it was. But, for now, hold off on making a final decision until you’ve had a chance to consult with a dentist near you. Tell your dentist in Cranbrook your goals and get some recommendations informed by a careful review of your dental health and needs.