DENTAL IMPLANT VS DENTAL BRIDGE

Whether you need to have your teeth pulled due to poor oral health, you sustain an injury that breaks your teeth badly enough that they need to be pulled or you have an accident that knocks your teeth out, you’ll need to consider your replacement options. While some people decide to simply live with the missing tooth or teeth, this is a mistake. A missing tooth or teeth can cause massive damage to your oral health, and can make simple activities like chewing much more difficult. Two of the most popular replacement choices are dental implants and dental bridges.

Both of these options have their benefits, which are discussed below.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are tooth replacements that involve the placement of a titanium rod that is used to hold the false tooth in place via an abutment. There are also some implant options that involve the replacement of more than one tooth.

The Benefits

Dental implants are an excellent replacement option because of their durability, longevity, strength and appearance. Dental implants closely resemble the natural teeth that they are replacing both in appearance and functionality. Many patients find with dental implants that they are able to chew, bite and clench their teeth a lot like they could with their natural teeth. Implants are also a long-lasting solution and can last many years if they are properly cared for.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are dental prosthetics that fill the gap where a tooth or teeth are missing with a pontic (false tooth or set of teeth) that is secured with the help of surrounding teeth. This is often done by reshaping healthy teeth to fit an abutment (crown) that holds the pontic in place. Unlike dental implants, dental bridges often are not installed directly into the jawbone.

The Benefits

Dental bridges are excellent for the replacement of one or more teeth for patients that are unable to have implants placed, or may be on a budget. Dental bridges provide excellent support—although they are not as strong as dental implants.

Which Is Right for Me?

The decision between a dental bridge or dental implants is a tough one that will need to be made with the help of your dentist. It is important to note that not all patients are candidates for dental implants. A dental implant requires a patient to have enough support in their jawbone to handle the placement of the implant. If the bone tissue is not strong enough, a graft may or may not be possible. Even if a patient is able to have an implant or a series of implants placed, they may not be able to initially afford them.

These reasons and others may influence the decision of the dentist as to whether or not you are a good candidate for dental implants, or if a dental bridge is the right choice for you. Speak with your dentist about whether dental implants or a dental bridge is right for your budget and your needs.

Interested in starting your dental bridge process? Learn more about West Mobile Dental Care, located in Mobile, today.

Want to learn more about dental bridges in general? Here's details on the some of the expenses expected with dental bridge procedure.