Dental Bridge Vs. Dental Implants

When a single permanent tooth goes missing, you’ve got two basic options of replacing it. While dental implants and dental bridges may look similar on the outside, they work very differently on the inside. There are notable distinctions in the cost, procedure time and longevity. Dr. Wayne Suway is here to help you determine whether an implant or bridge is right for you.

How Do Dental Bridges Work?

A bridge is a very suitable long-term treatment option for replacing a single missing tooth, but it is not permanent. While bridges require less upfront expense and less time in the dental chair, they are only meant to replace the visible part of your tooth.

Much like its name, a dental bridge is designed to “bridge” the gap of a missing tooth. To do this, a bridge uses a special framework with a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) that anchors on either side to your existing teeth. In most cases, these adjacent existing teeth will need a dental crown to ensure they are strong enough to hold the dental bridge. In general, it is a fairly quick treatment process without the need for invasive oral surgery.

Dental bridges stop the surrounding teeth from shifting out of place, and they allow patients to eat, smile and speak with confidence. A dental bridge, however, cannot prevent the consequences that happen beneath the gum line. Dental implants are the only way to avoid premature bone loss in the jaw after missing teeth.

The Advantages of a Dental Implant

There are pros and cons to every solution in restorative dentistry. For dental implants, the benefits tend to outweigh the costs. While you may pay a higher initial investment and have to wait longer for your results, dental implants can provide superior and more long-term advantages when replacing a missing tooth.

Dental implants replace the visible part of your tooth as well as the tooth root that is hidden blow the gums. A titanium post will act like an artificial tooth root after it is surgically placed into the jaw bone and fuses to the surrounding bone over time. A dental crown can then be attached on top of your implant to provide a replacement tooth that not only looks like a natural tooth, but feels and functions like one too. Because the implant is embedded into the jaw bone, patients can regain proper bone stimulation and avoid bone loss.

Have just one or two missing teeth? Let us explain your options at the office of Dr. Wayne Suway. Our Marietta dental clinic is known for providing excellence in modern implants dentistry and helping patients reclaim their beautiful smile after missing teeth.