Dental bridges and dental implants are the two most common solutions that dental specialists use to address missing teeth. These two are both type of artificial tooth that will help increase your self-confidence. Weighing up the pros and cons of tooth bridge vs implant can help you to determine which option is best for you. You can also check the advice by the team of Sydney Laser Dental in Pyrmont about these.
What are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that acts as a bridge on the gap between one or more missing teeth. The natural teeth or implants on either side support the bridge. It is comprised of at least two crowns for the teeth on each aspect of the gap. The abutment teeth are the securing teeth, and the false teeth that lie in the middle of are called pontics.
The following are the different types of dental bridges:
Traditional bridges
This type of dental bridge is a regular one. It is typically made of either porcelain or ceramics merged to metal. The extension is caused by a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the gap, and the false tooth lies in between.
Cantilever Bridges
This type of dental bridge is not as well-known as the traditional bridge. This bridge is not advisable for the rear of the mouth where it will receive much force. Cantilever bridges are utilized when there are teeth that are next to one another found on just one side of the gap of absent teeth.
Resin-bonded Bridges
This type of dental bridge has the resin-bonded bridge made of ceramic. This porcelain merged to metal, or plastic teeth supported by a metal or porcelain frame. The existing teeth on either side of the hole are attached to metal or porcelain wings on the bridge.
The following are the pros and cons of dental bridges:
Pros
Simple method – Compared to dental implants, bridges do not require surgery. As a result, making dental bridges is less painful. All it takes is a plain dental method to get your teeth fixed.
Faster – In just a few weeks, you can get dental bridges. Compared to dental implants that may take several months, this procedure is a lot faster and simpler.
Affordable – In general, bridges are more affordable than dental implants. Also, they are stable and supportive for your mouth.
Cons
Less Visually Pleasing – Bridges are not as normal looking as dental implants. Hence, they are not as aesthetically good-looking.
Intermittent Replacement – Bridges need to change every 5-7 years.
Harm Normal Teeth – Adjacent teeth go through a ton of planning that requires the elimination of a lot of tooth structure.
What are Dental Implants?
The dental implants are a good alternative if you have lost a tooth or teeth to an injury, periodontal disease, or other reasons. A dental implant is an artificial tooth that acts as a tooth root. It has a titanium post that supports a crown. This procedure is surgically embedded into the jawbone. Where then, it merges with the jawbone to ensure it is securely in position. This process is called osseointegration, that usually lasts for 3-6 months. After the process, an abutment is connected to the post frame. It protrudes over the gum line to give the zone where the dental crown is cemented or screwed into.
The following are the different types of dental implants:
Endosteal implants
This type of dental implants is directly embedded into the jawbone during a medical procedure. Subsequent surgery expected to attach the pole to the foremost implant when the gum tissue is cured. Last, a false tooth is placed to the post.
Subperiosteal implants
This type of dental implants has a metal edge that is custom-made onto the jawbone directly underneath the gum tissue. As the gums restore, the frame becomes installed to the jawbone. When it is ready, a false tooth is connected to the post.
The following are the pros and cons of dental implants:
Pros
Little maintenance – One significant advantage of high-quality dental implants is that they can last forever. Also, they need little care.
Natural-looking – Dental implants feel, function, and look like a natural tooth. They are solid and stable. Also, they keep your smile confident.
Protect Your Jawbone – Your jawbone is at risk for deterioration when you have an open space in your mouth due to a missing tooth. Having dental implants help to stimulate and preserve natural bone growth. Hence, it prevents bone loss.
No Strain on Teeth – Compared to a dental bridge, an implant can support itself without putting pressure on other teeth. Because of that, it helps to keep surrounding teeth.
Cons
Surgery – A dental implant requires surgery since it must attach to your bone. Furthermore, there are always dangers to consider any surgery. Some of the risks contain an infection, jaw fractures, nerve damage, damage to surrounding teeth, and more.
Time – Getting a tooth implant requires at least two or more visits. Bone heals gradually, and the entire procedure can take several months.
Cost – The cost will change contingent upon the type of implant and the situations of the tooth issue. In any case, the high price linked with getting a dental implant is regularly what stops individuals from considering this technique.
Conclusion of Tooth Bridge vs Implant: What is Best for You?
Having a good smile can attract people around you. If you are thinking about getting a tooth bridge or a dental implant, here is the short comparison between the two.
Dental Bridges and Implants Pros and Cons
As mentioned above, using dental bridges and implants are the most common solution that your dentist will suggest when you have a missing tooth. A tooth bridge is used to support a substitution tooth between two crowns. On the other hand, a dental implant reconstructs the hold of a root which fixes into the jawbone. Each one of these dental fixes has upsides and downsides, which are assessed over any critical concerns raised by individual patients.
Oral Aftercare & Maintenance
Both tooth bridge and implant need aftercare and decent levels of oral hygiene maintenance. This usually incorporates brushing two times per day and keeping away from both smoking and eating sweet food. Dental bridges can block the entrance of dental flossing, making this oral task difficult and more tedious to do. Although dental implants do not have this issue, patients who do not maintain decent levels of oral hygiene and proper aftercare may confront infections of the area around the implant during the healing process.
Durability
Since dental implants are securely attached to the jawbone, they can withstand compression like a natural tooth, and expected to last forever. On the other hand, dental bridges put more prominent pressure on surrounding structures due to not being established into the bone of the jaw. Moreover, dental bridges may debilitate over a lifetime and need extra dental treatment to restore.
Appearance
Although both dental implants and bridges are not entirely noticeable in the mouth and will reestablish a natural smile, implants are less visible in general. This is because bridges are not implanted underneath the gum and maybe noticeable behind or in between replacement teeth.
Expenses
In general, a dental bridge tends to be the less expensive solution for patients on a tight spending plan. Not exclusively can a dental bridge be utilized to replace multiple teeth, but this is a far less difficult and require fewer visits to the dental specialist. On the other hand, dental implants can take much longer to be completely fixed and can bring about in complications, increasing visits to the dental specialist. Besides, on the off chance that you need to replace various teeth without a bridge, you will require a dental implant for each tooth, limitlessly increasing the expense of the procedure.
Duration of Treatment
Dental bridges are quicker to be fixed, typically taking between one to three weeks and may require two visits to the dental specialist. On the other hand, dental implants take much longer to fix, sometimes even half a year. This is due to the bone around the jaw that it must regrow around the embed to be completely functional. Nonetheless, as recently referenced inserts should endure forever and not need any extra visits if no complications happen.
Health Benefits
Although a dental bridge is faster to put, in the long haul, there are several practical advantages to a dental implant. For example, recuperating of gums and the bone structure of the jaw around the embed is promoted. Long term problems associated with bone loss, for example, the reduction of the jawbone is not addressed utilizing a dental bridge.
These short summaries and comparisons of tooth bridge vs implant can help you to evaluate the most beneficial artificial teeth for you. Remember that this is not just another luxury, but this is another way to improve your facial structure, give confidence to your smile, and especially allow you to eat the foods you enjoy.