Dental implants vs bridge, which one is the best option for multiple teeth restoration? You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself entangled in this seemingly difficult choice.
Bridges and dental implants are both equally popular options for restoring teeth, but each is significantly different in terms of benefits, longevity, and overall effectiveness. Choosing between these two options requires you to carefully weigh their relative pros and cons to analyze which one’s more beneficial in the long run.
This blog will serve as a guide for all the patients confused with the question of dental bridge vs implant, helping them decide the option that best suits their interests.
What Is A Dental Bridge?
We’ve all heard of dental bridges, as they’ve been one of the most popular ways of restoring missing teeth.
A dental bridge is a traditional dental restorative device-a type of prosthetic teeth set-that is meant to replace missing teeth in a dental arch.
It consists of one or more permanent fake teeth (known as pontics) pieced together, bounded with two crowns (similar to pontics, but hollow from the underside), one on either side of the pontic series.
The crowns are cemented onto the natural teeth adjacent to the missing teeth, and the pontics suspended in the middle seamlessly fill the gap left by missing teeth. In other words, the gap in the dental arch (created by tooth loss) is ‘bridged’ by this device-giving the device its unique name.
Note that the natural teeth (to which the crowns are cemented) need to be shaved and prepared to allow the attachment of the bridge, which poses a serious compromise to the integrity of these perfectly healthy teeth but which is nevertheless essential for the working of the bridge.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants present a modern approach to dental restoration, serving as the core basis for all ‘permanent’ teeth restoration treatments (treatments where traditional dental restorative devices are used, but they are made permanent with the use of dental implants). How? Let’s discuss.
Basically, dental implants are posts/fixtures made up of biocompatible metal like titanium, which are surgically inserted into the jawbone of an edentulous patient to imitate the functions of missing tooth roots. Acting as artificial tooth roots and implants:
- Stimulate the edentulous section of the jawbone to keep it dense and healthy.
- Serve as a strong and stable foundation for the attachment of a variety of prosthetic teeth devices (singular crowns/bridges/-depending on the extent of tooth loss).
Dental implants and the prosthesis attached to them, collectively, embody a potent combination for treating tooth loss. This combination works far more effectively than any traditional dental restorative device does on its own.
In other words, dental implants supercharge the efficacy of dental restorative devices by providing them with a strong anchorage within the jawbone itself (the place where the teeth are supposed to be held in the first place).
Dental Implants Vs Dental Bridges: Comparative Benefits
With our above overview of bridges and implants, we have already made enough clarifications regarding the debate of ‘dental implants vs. dental bridges.’ However, to make things more plain, let’s do a comparative analysis of their benefits.
Placement Procedure
Bridges and implants both replace missing teeth, but their placement procedure is significantly different from each other.
Traditional dental bridges are placed after filing down natural teeth (those that are adjacent to the missing teeth) and cementing the bridge over them. While this is a non-surgical procedure, it involves the alteration of completely healthy teeth, which is a major downside associated with this procedure.
Implants, on the other hand, are surgically embedded into the jawbone, followed by the attachment of a prosthesis. While this is an invasive procedure, the surgery is minor, and it preserves the integrity of your natural teeth.
Durability
The longevity and durability of bridges are subject to the quality of care provided to them. They’re generally not durable because there’s a high risk of decay around the teeth they’re cemented to, which would ultimately affect the bridge as well. On average, bridges last around 10-15 years at maximum.
Dental implants, on the other hand, have an average lifespan of 20 years. They can even last for a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. This is because they’re fused with the jawbone (which is a strong foundation) rather than being cemented on other teeth or merely resting on the gums.
Functionality And Aesthetics
Bridges restore dental aesthetics and functionality in edentulous patients, but not to an optimum extent. This is because of their structure (the fact that they’re merely cemented on adjacent teeth), which doesn’t make them an ideal substitute for missing teeth.
Conversely, implants perfectly mimic real teeth, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics. They have a very natural look (they integrate with the jawbone and seamlessly blend with other teeth in the dental arch) and allow you to speak, chew, and eat with optimum comfort and naturalness.
Maintenance
Dental bridges require you to care for them extensively, including taking diligent care of your oral hygiene and regularly visiting the dentist for professional cleanings. This is essential to prevent plaque build-up under and around the cemented crowns.
Dental implants, on the contrary, require the same amount of care and maintenance as is needed by natural teeth. This includes regular brushing, flossing, and other regular oral care measures.
Cost
Dental bridges are typically less expensive than implants due to their non-surgical nature. However, they may require frequent replacements (the materials used in traditional bridges are not very high in strength and are prone to breakages) and additional dental work over time. This would eventually lead to an increased cumulative cost.
Dental implants are more expensive than bridges due to the surgery involved, the cost of the implants, and other treatment factors. However, since they’re very durable and reliable (which means little to no replacements or adjustments), they prove to be cost-effective in the long run.
Conclusion
Dental bridges and implants are two popular options for replacing missing teeth, but given the long-term benefits (functionality and aesthetics, cost, maintenance, etc.), dental implants prove to be superior to bridges in every aspect.
For more details about dental implants, schedule a FREE consultation with Free Smile Care, a premium dental practice located in San Diego, CA. Our team of expert implant surgeons will analyze your case for the suitability of implants, paving your way to a healthy and beautiful smile transformation.