Dental Bridge Vs. Dental Implant: What Your Preference?

Tooth loss among adults is relatively standard. Estimates are available that 69 percent of adults between 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth. By 74, 25 percent of Americans lose all their adult teeth. When you lose a tooth or teeth, you must get a proper teeth replacement to keep your remaining teeth aligned. Replacement teeth also help to maintain your facial shape and prevent challenges when eating or speaking. The two most common solutions for replacement teeth are dental implants and a dental bridge.

When you considered replacing the missing teeth in your mouth and began researching for various options, you likely will come across many dentists offering you a tooth Bridge or even permanent dentures. Choosing between the many options available can make you confront many challenges.

This blog provides information on dental bridges vs. dental implants, giving you comprehensive information on both options to decide which solution is best suited for your needs.

Dental bridges are fake teeth held in place by the natural teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. Porcelain or plastic is used to make them match your existing teeth. Dental bridges can cover one or more missing teeth.

Dental implants are made from titanium and function like artificial tooth roots. There are inserted into your jawbone’s surgically to hold a dental crown or bridge in place.

Let us look at the pros and cons of both solutions besides factors that help you determine which option is best for you.

Dental Bridge Vs. Dental Implant

Bridges and implants both deliver natural-looking results. However, they come with a set of benefits and downsides that you must consider. Let us look at the benefits and downsides of both.

Dental Bridge Benefits

• Dental bridges are likely to receive coverage from insurers.
• Bridges don’t require invasive dental surgery or bone grafting.
• Bridges cost lower than dental implants on the procedure is completed in a couple of visits to your dentist in Rutherford, NJ.

Dental Bridge Downsides

• Dental bridges need replacements every 5 to 7 years.
• As dental bridges age, they lose their natural-looking appearance.
• Dental bridges make you susceptible to cavities and tooth decay in the surrounding teeth.
• Bridges compromise the healthy teeth around the missing tooth.

Dental Implant Benefits

• Dental implants last for 15 years or more and are the longest-lasting option currently available on the market.
• Implants retain their natural-looking appearance longer compared to bridges.
• Implants are standalone applications and don’t damage the neighbouring teeth.
• Implants are highly successful, with around a 98 percent success rate.

Dental Implant Downsides

• Insurance companies don’t offer coverage for dental implants.
• The procedure for dental implants requires over six months.
• You invest in higher upfront costs.
• Dental implants can lead to surgical complications.

Choosing between Dental Implants and Dental Bridges

Your dentist can recommend the optimal tooth replacement solution for your situation. Your budget determines the best option you can choose besides how many teeth you want to have replaced and your overall health.

If you have dental insurance, you will likely receive coverage for a dental bridge than an implant. If you don’t have dental insurance and both options are out of your budget, you can discuss having partial dentures to replace the missing teeth.

Dental bridges are a suitable option than implants if you have more than one consecutive tooth missing. If you select dental implants, you must have one titanium post inserted for every missing tooth leading to expensive and impractical surgery.

Your overall health also determines which tooth replacement solution you can have. Dental implants require surgery and may not be an option if you have medical conditions that may slow down healing. Optimal candidates for dental implants must have sufficient jawbone without decay and healthy to support the implant.

Time Required for Getting Tooth Replacements

The entire procedure for getting dental implants requires months, while a dental bridge is installed in your mouth in two visits to the dentist spanning over a couple of weeks. If you have chosen dental implants, the dentist drills your jawbone to attach the titanium post to the root. They might give you a temporary denture while you wait to complete the healing process. The healing process requires three to six months before you can have a realistic-looking dental crown over the implant.

Dental implants and bridges are two options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Dental bridges cost less and are likely covered by insurance. If finances are not a concern and you are in good overall health, you can consider dental implants because they are the better option as they last longer and don’t damage the adjacent teeth. Dentists can help determine which option is ideal for your situation.