When it comes to dental restoration procedures, dental bridges and dental implants are the most popular. Over the years, these procedures have successfully helped millions of edentulous patients regain teeth. If you lost a tooth or teeth and are wondering which to go for, have a seat, this article is made for you.
In this piece of work, we compare and contrast both procedures, and include their pros and cons while at it. After reading this article, you will be fixed on how each of them can address your tooth loss issue. This will not only equip you with knowledge on them, but will also help you when it comes to choosing which to go for.
dental bridge vs Dental implant (pros & cons)
Ponts dentaires
Dental bridge procedure aims at replacing patient’s lost teeth using pontics supported by adjacent teeth. There are 3 main types of dental bridges:
- Traditional Dental Bridge: This dental bridge type involves trimming down adjacent teeth left and right of the lost one. They are trimmed into abutments to support pontics, hence their name “abutment teeth”.
- Cantilever Bridge: Quite similar to traditional dental bridges, this process equally involves adjacent tooth trimming. The main difference here is, just one of the adjacent teeth is trimmed into an abutment tooth.
- Maryland Bridges: Different from traditional and cantilever bridges, Maryland bridges need no trimmings. Rather, it consists of bonding a metal covering at the back of the adjacent teeth and turning it into an abutment for pontics.
Pros of Dental Bridges
- Affordability
Compared to dental implants, dental bridges are very cost effective. This makes it possible for an average earner to afford replacing lost teeth.
- Aesthetics
Dental bridges have the ability to blend in with your actual teeth, making it hard to differentiate between them. This adds to improve the aesthetics of your smile, compared to an edentulous denture.
- Treatment Period
Since no major surgery is involved, the treatment period for dental bridges is pretty short. This makes it an easy go-to for patients opting for a quick fix to their lost teeth.
- Functional Benefits
By getting dental bridges, you will regain the ability to chew and speak like you did before tooth loss. This works in improving overall functionality of the teeth and mouth as a whole.
Cons of Dental Bridges
- Teeth Trimming
Unless you’re going in for Maryland types, adjacent teeth will be trimmed for pontics support. This trimming can easily weaken the enamel of the abutment tooth, thus reducing its longevity.
- Jawbone Degradation
Unlike dental implants, the cavities created due to missing teeth are left void. This leaves the jawbone with no material for osseointegration stimulations, causing it to degrade over time.
- Lifespan
Compared to implants which can push till an entire lifetime with good caretaking, bridges last way less. Even with the best oral hygiene, you may still have to replace your bridge after 10-15 years.
Implants dentaires
Dental implant procedure is one which involves the fixation of a screw-like post in the jawbone to replace teeth roots. They fuse with the jawbone, act and function just like tooth roots, thus offering a stable foundation for crowns.
There exist 3 main types of dental implants:
- Endosteal Dental Implants: These implants are the most popular types of implants. They are placed directly in the jawbone for osseointegration. They come in different shapes and sizes, each fashioned to respond to particular cases.
- Subperiosteal Implants: With these implant types, a metal framework is positioned beneath the gum tissues then a crown is attached to it. They are mostly performed for patients unqualified for endosteal implants due to jawbone deficiency.
- All-on-4s and All-on-6s: All-on-4/6 implant procedures involve the fixation of 4 and 6 implants respectively per arch. These implants are positioned to provide enough stability to support a full arch of teeth and evenly distribute biting force. They are convenient for both fully and partially edentulous patients, and offer long term satisfaction.
Pros of Dental Implants
- Aesthetics
Dental implants have the ability to blend in seamlessly with existing teeth to the point where they can’t be differentiated. They look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth, having you feel like they never left.
- Restored Chewing Ability
Thanks to osseointegration and your crowns, your new implants are able to withstand forces of chewing and mastication. Just like with your natural teeth, you will never face issues in breaking down food, thus improving its taste and digestion.
- Longevity
It is no joke when we say dental implants are long term solutions to teeth loss. Lasting an average of 20-30 years, dental implants can even push through an entire lifetime with good caretaking.
- Jawbone Preservation
With the fixation of the post in the jawbone, the implant stimulates osseointegration, thus jawbone development. A preserved jawbone will result in better oral health care and reduced facial aging.
Cons of Dental Implants
- Cost
With the implication of surgical procedures, implant components, and custom teeth fabrication, dental implants tend to be costly. Compared to other restorative procedures, they are generally more expensive, although the results tend to be worth the price.
Read more: Dental Implants Cost in Turkey
- Healing Periods
Given that dental implants necessitate surgical procedure for fixation, the healing time tends to be longer than other restoration procedures. This makes it the least preferred procedure for people opting for an immediate solution to their tooth loss.
- Jawbone Density Required
Jawbone density is a major requirement for dental implantation to take place. Insufficient density will require a bone graft, or just disqualify you for the procedure.
Comparing Dental Implant to Dental Bridge
Both dental implants and bridges are highly effective tooth restoration procedures, making it difficult to choose between both. For that reason, we have prepared a side by side comparison of both to ease choice making as seen below:
- Functionality Restoration: Dental bridges restore the chewing and enunciation you lost alongside your teeth. With dental implants, you can bite, speak, and smile confidently. Dental implants equally restore chewing, biting and enunciation abilities, but they go beyond those. The stability and ability to blend in with existing teeth is unmatched.
- Longevity: Dental bridges merged with good caretaking can last between 10-15 years, after which they will need a change.This is because the forces of wear and tear from biting and chewing will cause them to degrade, making new ones necessary. Dental implants paired with appropriate aftercare can last an average of 30 years, and sometimes, an entire lifetime. This is due to the fact that they are engineered to withstand the forces of wear and tear for longer periods of time.
- Oral Health: Oral healthwise, bridges make it easy to maintain a good oral health due to the ease with which they’re catered for. They require nothing other than brushing and flossing, with special attention given to regions below the bridge. Dental implants foster osseointegration, so your jawline and face won’t age faster. They are also easy to care for as they require regular brushing, flossing, and checkup appointments.
- Role of Adjacent Teeth: With dental bridges, adjacent teeth play a vital role. They are shaped into abutments to support the pontics. Without adjacent teeth, the pontics will have no support. Dental implants are completely independent entities which rely on themselves for support. This is because the post once fused with the jawbone is just as solid as teeth roots, thus needing no extra support.
How to Choose Between Implants and Bridges?
After seeing the above comparison, you might be wondering which of both procedures is appropriate for you. We got your back! We will put you on track by giving you a few points to guide your decision making steps in the below paragraphs:
- Consult
Consulting a dental professional is the only sure way to know which procedure will solve your dental issues. They will evaluate your oral state, have an exchange with you, and draft a treatment plan just for you.
- The Time Factor
Both procedures offer different lasting and realization periods. Depending on which suits your preference, and availability, you can easily pick one of them.
- Oral Health
Knowing your oral health beforehand can equally guide you towards a choice. Depending on your jawbone strength and lifestyle, you can choose the best choice you are eligible for.
- Cost
We can’t go by without mentioning the financial side of these procedures. Depending on your budget, you can already go through possible options you can afford.
- Preference
Of course, when it comes to aesthetics, personal choices and preferences do vary. According to the render you’re rooting for, you can choose a procedure which reflects it the best way possible.
Other tooth replacement options to consider
Partial Dentures
This is a restoration option consisting of pontics placed on a gum-colored base, aimed at restoring teeth’s looks and functions.
They are made with a few visits to the dentist. First visit consists of measurements for the conception of a mold. With this prototype, the dentist will conduct a fit test with the mold, and carry on modifications till it fits. Your final visit will consist of mold placement, last fixes, and aftercare recommendations.
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are mostly used in pedodontics when children lose their teeth. In this situation, maintainers aim at keeping adjacent teeth in place so they don’t move towards the void. By doing so, the erupting tooth will have space to grow.
For their placement, a few visits to the dentist is necessary too. At the first visit, the dentist will take metrics and measurements for the realization of a custom maintainer. The next visit will be for fit tests, adjustments, and mounting of the maintainer.
Bridge vs Implant Cost
Is a bridge cheaper than an implant?
A bridge is relatively cheaper than dental implants. This is due to lack of a surgical procedure and implant parts like the post, which are costly.
Vitrin Clinic Treatments
If you are at the verge of having a dental restoration but have a few doubts, we’re here for you. Vitrin Clinic covers all restorative procedures dental implant to dentures and more.
Our team of professionals are always willing to consult you for free, answer your questions and give you a quote too. This consultation gives you the opportunity to exchange with dental experts, who will in turn use this information to curate your custom treatment plan.
