Oklahoma City Dental Implant vs Bridge

If you have a single missing tooth, there are two options for replacing it: a dental bridge, or a dental implant. Here we will explain the difference between the two procedures with their advantages and disadvantages.

 

A dental bridge replacing a missing tooth involves three teeth—the missing tooth, and the two adjacent teeth. Crowns are placed on the adjacent teeth. Then the bridge is constructed as one piece in the laboratory, with the false tooth suspended between the two crowns.
A dental implant, on the other hand, doesn't involve doing anything to the adjacent teeth. A root form fixture is implanted in the bone, and then the bone is allowed to heal. After the bone has grown back, it anchors the root form. A single crown is then placed to replace the missing tooth.

Both procedures can end up looking very natural, and both can give many years of service. But there are some significant differences between them, which we will list here.

Advantages of a Dental Implant

• Dental implants are more conservative, meaning that they require only treating the missing tooth space. Dental bridges require preparing the adjacent teeth for crowns.
• With a bridge, if there is later decay on one of the adjacent teeth, the entire bridge will likely need to be replaced. With an implant, fixing the cavity could be just a simple filling.
• A bridge will place more stress on the teeth it rests on.
• The presence of an implant inhibits the loss of bone at the site of the missing tooth. If the tooth that is missing is a front tooth and you have a high lip line so that your gums show, this loss of bone can cause a sunken-in appearance.

Advantages of a Dental Bridge

• It's quicker. With a dental implant there is a healing time of several weeks for the root form fixture to integrate with the bone. During that time you need to wear a temporary tooth.
• The cost is slightly less than an implant.
• If the adjacent teeth need crowns anyway, it is a fairly simple matter to add the false tooth to your treatment.

Dental implants can also be used to replace multiple teeth. Implants can even be a good substitute for a full set of dentures. In these cases, multiple posts are used and the denture is attached in several places.

 

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

The best candidates for dental implants have strong healthy gums and enough bone to accomodate the titanium post. It is likely that you fall into this category. There are cases where due to medical history a bridge is a better choice. Certain gum diseases, heart conditions and diabetes may make the procedure too risky or limit its possibility for success. Dr. Forth or Dr. Bender will evaluate your medical history and help you make an informed choice. They are both highly qualified to provide either service.

If you would like to know how these pros and cons apply to your situation, please call for a consultation, or visit our make an appointment page.