Missing tooth replacement has always been a concern for individuals. Two standard options for replacing missing teeth are tooth implants and dental bridges. Both have advantages and drawbacks, making it essential to understand which is preferable, tooth implant vs. dental bridge, to make an informed decision.
While both have a common goal of replacing missing teeth, they are different and have different indications, methods, and techniques. Let’s understand in detail-
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are a traditional fixed restorative option for restoring missing tooth spaces. They provide a stable and durable replacement by using anchorage from healthy adjacent teeth, empowering you with the knowledge of a reliable dental solution.
The construction of dental bridges involves two key components.
The pontics, or false teeth, are designed to fill the gaps left by missing teeth. On the other hand, the abutments are the adjacent teeth that provide the necessary anchorage.
Based on the material used, these bridges can be
- Metallic – These are made up of metal and metal alloys. Stainless steel or gold alloys are commonly used.
- PFM – These are porcelain fused to metal. They have metal beneath the outer tooth-colored porcelain covering.
- Porcelain -These bridges are metal-free and made of solid materials like zirconium, bauxite, and lithium silicate.
Based on the bridge types, they can be of the following types.
- Traditional Bridge – The conventional bridge has a pontics (false tooth) connected to the anchorage adjacent teeth.
- Cantilever Bridge – A cantilever bridge requires anchorage only from one adjacent tooth. Unlike conventional bridges, these are not strong and are often detrimental to the tooth from which the support is needed.
- Maryland Bridge – These are called winged bridges. They are less durable and need help to withstand large chewing forces. They are primarily used to replace anterior missing teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental Implants are biocompatible screws that are placed in the jaws at the site of missing teeth. These implants are the replacements that are used to restore the missing spaces. Dental implants have three parts –
- Dental Fixture – The screw which is made of titanium alloys or ceramics and placed in the jaw.
- Abutment – These connectors are attached to the fixture on one end and the crown on the other (upper side).
- Crowns – These are the false teeth attached to implant fixtures via abutment and placed at the site of the missing tooth.
The implants are of various types –
- Material – Implants can be made of either titanium or ceramic.
- Type of Procedure – Conventional implants, bone augmentation, graft, and sinus lift.
- Size Of Implants – Normal, short, and mini implants.
- Number Of Implants –These can be all-on-4 or all-on-6, full-mouth rehabilitation, multiple implants, or single implants.
Tooth Implant vs Dental Bridge: Which One is Better?
Dental bridges and implants share the goal of replacing missing teeth. However, both have their pros and cons. To decide which is better for you, you must understand the difference between the two.
- Dental bridges require crowns to be placed or the anchorage taken by perfectly healthy teeth placed on either side of the missing space. For this, the adjacent teeth are shaved down, which results in some health loss of the healthy tooth. This results in an increased risk of permanent damage to otherwise healthy teeth.
This is otherwise the case in implants where the adjacent teeth are left entirely untouched, hence not compromising the state of healthy neighboring teeth. - Dental bridges are more sturdy than implants. The implants have a better ability to take the chewing forces. They have better strength than dental bridges.
- Dental implants can stop bone loss, which Dental Brightest can’t do. When a tooth is extracted, the bone stops resorbing. Bridges are seated above the gum line, but implants are placed in the jaw bone, which can hold the bone level and in place.
- Dental implants are aesthetically better than dental bridges. Since dental implants mimic the tooth structure of the natural tooth, they look less artificial. Dental bridges, on the other hand, are less aesthetic due to attached crowns, which give them a more artificial look.
- Implants have a better success rate compared to dental bridges.
- The cost of dental bridges is initially meager compared to implants, but they might need replacement often at some point in the future; hence, implants remain cost-effective.
Which One’s Better?
Dental bridges and implants have advantages over one another, yet the benefits of implants outnumber the advantages of dental bridges. Depending on your dental requirements and condition, a dentist could better decide which suits your dental requirements.
After a detailed discussion with your dentist, you can learn your chances of implant placement for missing teeth. Dental implants have a success rate of nearly 95%, although regular follow-up and religious oral hygiene are musts after implant placement.
Conclusion
Both tooth implants and dental bridges offer practical solutions for replacing missing teeth. Each has advantages and considerations. Understanding these differences can help you make the best choice for your dental health and lifestyle.
For expert advice and personalized dental care, contact Valley Ridge Dental. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
Schedule your consultation today or visit our clinic.
