Author: nearmedental
Dentistry has made many advancements over the years that now allow people who have missing teeth to get back their beautiful smiles. There are two ways of replacing missing teeth: Dental Implants and Dental Bridges. When choosing between dental implants vs. dental bridges, it is crucial to consider several factors such as health, age, procedure, and more. This article discusses everything in detail for those considering any of these dental treatments on losing their teeth.
What is Dental Implant Surgery?
Dental implants are one of the many ways to replace your missing teeth. Dentists recommend this surgery to patients in good health with healthy gums and enough jawbone density to support an implant.
It is a permanent solution for missing teeth. Hence, this treatment requires a long time to complete because it takes a few months for the dental implants to sync with your jawbone. Once dental implants are fitted, you won’t need dental bridges.
What is Dental Bridge Surgery?
A dental bridge surgery is a process that involves replacing your decaying teeth. You do not require tooth removal for this process. They are usually more suitable for patients with only one or two decaying teeth that need to be replaced.
This procedure demands less time because they act as a sort of “temporary fix.” Also, dental bridges cannot be implanted until you have reached a certain age.
Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
- The cost of dental bridge surgery is lesser than dental implants.
- Dental implant surgery can take up to 2-3 hours, while bridges can complete within 45 minutes.
- Dental implants tend to last longer than dental bridges because they are put inside the mouth, where gum and bone tissue protect them. Thus, implants are less likely to break or come off.
- Also, dental implants are known to take longer to replace than dental bridges. It is probably because bridges are an “external fix,” so replacing them doesn’t require much time.
- Dental bridges tend to be bulky; therefore do not look as natural as Dental Implants.
Recommending Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
Dental implants are recommended for patients who have strong gums, enough jawbone density, and are healthy. Thus, it’s unsuitable for patients who are not fit enough for surgery or lack sufficient jawbone density. On the other hand, dental bridges are suitable for patients who only have 1 or 2 missing teeth that need replacing.
Furthermore, there are no signs that dental implants need replacement anytime soon, if at all. But dental bridges may need replacement within 5 years or less depending on several factors such as the patient’s oral hygiene, lifestyle, etc.
Pros and Cons of Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges Surgery
Pros
- Dental implants are made of titanium which is completely biocompatible with the human body. So, they will easily integrate themselves into your jawbone tissue.
- Properly done dental implants by an expert dentist can last a lifetime.
- Dental bridges are considerably less expensive than dental implants.
- This procedure has a reasonably high success rate.
Cons
- During the dental implants surgery procedure, your dentist will cut open the gums and insert titanium screws into the bone before covering them again. Therefore, it may lead to post-surgery symptoms, such as bleeding and swelling for a few days making everyday activities difficult.
- On the contrary, dental bridges tend to be slightly uncomfortable in the beginning. You require an extra effort to keep your dental bridges clean. So maintenance is key if you want them to last for years.
What is the Right Age to Get Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges?
You can get dental implants at any age as they will integrate with your jawbone tissue. However, dental bridges tend to be more suitable for young patients as teeth can move after insertion. It means they won’t interfere with the natural development of your teeth.
What Happens After Both the Treatments?
After getting either Dental Bridges vs. Dental implants, a patient must maintain good oral hygiene and visit their dentist twice a year like usual. If major problems come up, such as decaying teeth, breaking teeth, etc., patients should pay extra attention to their dental health. Seek help immediately besides maintaining regular visits for checkups.
Final Verdict – Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
With the two advanced dental prostheses, getting your replacement teeth is not a big deal. However, your local dentist should be able to tell you whether you need dental implants vs dental bridges. Therefore, you must consult an experienced dentist near you to make the right call.
