Both dental bridges and dental implants are natural looking ways to replace multiple missing teeth, restoring the appearance and function of your smile. Here, our Summerland dentist explains the pros and cons of these natural looking tooth replacement options.
Dental bridges and dental implants are both great looking options to consider if you're ready to replace your missing teeth, but each of these options has their own pros and cons.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration which can replace a single or multiple missing teeth by attaching a bridge of artificial teeth to adjacent teeth (or to dental implants) on either side of the space. A bridge isn't completely permanent but can last a long while with proper care.
If you have experienced deterioration in the jaw bones and gums since your natural teeth were lost, a dental bridge may be the ideal tooth replacement option for you.
Pros
- A dental bridge is a much less invasive way to replace multiple missing teeth next to each other.
- With a dental bridge no bone or gum grafting surgeries will be required in order to place the bridge.
Cons
- A large proportion of the enamel must be removed from the teeth adjacent to where the bridge will be placed, in order to prepare your mouth for a dental bridge. This could make the supporting teeth more susceptible to tooth decay.
- A dental bridge will not last as long as dental implants. That said, with proper care your dental bridge can last for many years. Typically a dental bridge will need to be replaced after about 5 - 15 years.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are tiny titanium rods that are permanently implanted into the jawbone where the roots of the natural tooth would have been. Once the implant has been surgically placed and capped with a restoration such as a crown or denture, implants are very natural looking tooth replacements that can last a lifetime.
Pros
- Dental implants look very natural and function much like natural teeth.
- Dental implants can last 25 years or more with proper care.
Cons
- The dental implant process take weeks or even months to complete.
- Patients who have experienced deterioration of the jawbone may require a bone graft prior to the dental implant surgery. The bone grafting process can take a long time to heal. It may be several months before the jaw is strong enough for the dental implant process to begin.