Dental Implants vs. Bridges: Making the Right Choice for Your Smile

The two most common methods for replacing a missing tooth are dental implants and a dental bridge. Both treatments will close the gap and allow you to smile and chew with confidence again. However, there are some distinct differences in the way these treatments work. It’s vital that you are clued up on the advantages and disadvantages of each option before moving forward.

In this guide, we’re breaking down each treatment in turn so you can understand what to expect. We’ll also look at why patients might choose one treatment over another, so you can make an informed decision that is right for your needs.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is placed in the jaw bone. This screw replicates the role of the tooth root, so we can attach a dental crown or a bridge to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Multiple dental implants could also be used to replace an entire arch of teeth.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth supported by two crowns on either side. This helps to close the gap in your smile and restore your bite. This treatment relies on the teeth on either side of the gap to be strong enough to support the crowns. If you are not a good candidate for a dental bridge, you might find success with a partial denture, instead.

Advantages of a dental implant

A dental implant is considered to be the most advanced treatment option to replace a missing tooth. It offers a number of distinct advantages, including:

• A dental implant will restore the aesthetic appearance of your smile at the same time as restoring the functional bite. This can help to protect the health of surrounding teeth and gums.

• The tooth functions like a natural tooth, which means the force of your bite is absorbed by your jaw bone. This not only helps to maintain the integrity of your jaw bone, but it also protects the surrounding teeth from damage.

• This treatment is intended to last a lifetime. With correct care, your dental implant could last for the rest of your life. You may need to replace or repair the crown periodically, but this is much easier than replacing an entire bridge.

• The dental implant procedure helps to maintain your jaw structure. If the jaw bone is not in use, it can cause the bone to shrink, which can change the shape of your face.

• You can care for the dental implants just as you would your natural teeth. This means brushing and flossing daily, with no specialist tools required to keep your teeth and gums clean.

Advantages of a dental bridge

A dental bridge is a more affordable treatment that uses the surrounding teeth to support a prosthetic tooth. You could also opt for small metal wings bonded to the back of the teeth to support your artificial tooth. These are just some of the advantages of this treatment:

• The treatment can be completed in just a few visits. You’ll have one appointment for measuring the space and preparing the surrounding teeth. At the second appointment, your dentist will bond your custom dental bridge in place.

• This is a highly cost-effective treatment, which is ideal if you are on a budget or don’t want to spend a lot of money on your smile. The choice of materials used for the dental bridge will ultimately determine how much the final restoration costs.

• This treatment will restore the aesthetics of your smile and the function of your bite. The force of your bite will be absorbed by the surrounding teeth.

Making the right decision for you

If you’re on the fence between a dental implant and a dental bridge, there are a few things you should consider before making a final decision.

Remember that if you choose a dental bridge, you could always opt for dental implant treatment in the future. The bridge will simply hold space for the tooth until you are ready for a more permanent treatment.

You should also consider the following factors when making your decision:

• Your budget – most people will make a decision based on their budget. However, if you can afford dental implants, this doesn’t mean that you will automatically go down this route.

• Time constraints – are you in a hurry to complete your restoration? If you’re in a rush to close the gap in your smile for a special occasion, you might opt for a dental bridge as this can be completed in a few visits. Dental implants, on the other hand, could take months.

• Health of the surrounding teeth – if the teeth on either side of the gap are weakened for any reason, you might not want to use these to support a dental bridge. To prepare for a dental bridge, the surrounding teeth have to be prepared to make space for the dental crowns. This could impact the health of these teeth in the long-term, so dental implants might be more beneficial.

• Maintenance considerations – are you prepared for the maintenance? With a dental implant, you’ll need to be diligent in your oral health routine to avoid the risk of implant rejection. With a dental bridge, you’ll need to clean carefully under the bridge to remove plaque and tartar.

• Longevity – if you opt for a dental bridge, you will need to be prepared to replace this further down the line. With a dental implant, many parts of the restoration are designed to last a lifetime, and only the crown will need to be restored or replaced. This can drive down the lifetime cost of your restoration.

Ready to make a decision? Get in touch with our team today to find out if you’re a suitable candidate for either a dental implant or a dental bridge.