Dental implants and bridges are great options for replacing missing teeth. There are pros and cons to each option and you need to understand their differences so that you can make an informed decision on which option will be most suited for your needs.
Dental implants are basically artificial tooth roots that are made from titanium.
These will be placed into the jawbone surgically. The implant will then fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration and then a dental crown will be attached to it so that the missing tooth can be replaced. These tend to last a lifetime as they are meant to be a permanent solution for missing teeth. These look and function like natural teeth so you will have a comfortable chewing experience. The use of implants will stimulate the growth of bone and prevent bone loss. This will help maintain the integrity of your jawbone. There will not be any impact on adjacent teeth as they don’t need to be altered to support the implants. This will preserve the natural structure of adjacent teeth. But as implant placement needs surgery, there is a longer recovery time and there can be certain risks to consider.
The cost of dental implants
Is more initially compared to other tooth replacement options but these tend to last your lifetime so it can be cost-effective in the long term. This is also a process that can take a lot of time. It can take up to many months to complete as the implants need to fuse to the bone and crowns have to be placed. When it comes to dental implants, the all on 4 technique is another alternative technique that you can consider. This is a great option for individuals that are missing a full arch of teeth. You can strategically place these implants in the jawbone so that a full set of fixed prosthetic teeth can be supported. As four implants are used, this is quite efficient due to the fewer number of implants compared to traditional implants. These will also preserve bone density and minimise the need for bone grafting even if the patient has significant bone loss. But compared to individual dental implants, this tend to have limited customisation when it comes to aesthetics.
Dental bridges are one or more artificial teeth
That are anchored to adjacent natural teeth or even dental implants. This will fill the gap that is left by missing teeth so that your appearance can be restored. This is a non-invasive procedure compared to implants as there is no surgery required. These can therefore be placed quicker than dental implants and this will provide a faster solution. These are also more affordable and as they have been used for a long time, they have a good track record. But adjacent teeth will need to be filed down and capped so that they can support the dental bridge. This will lead to teeth weakening with time. You will need to replace the bridges after 5 years. This can go up to 15 years as well.