How to Choose Between a Dental Bridge and Dental Implant

Missing teeth can ruin the appearance of your smile and lead to other expensive dental problems. Replacing missing teeth is vital to maintaining excellent oral health, and today, there are many options for doing so.

If you want to maintain a healthy smile, the best options for tooth replacement are dental implants and dental bridges in SE Calgary. Both are good options that will help you sport a stunning smile while also preventing oral health problems such as shifting teeth.

While dental implants are often considered the best replacement option for teeth, certain factors will determine if they are best for you, considering your budget and oral health. In this blog post, our team at Heritage Smiles Dental tells you all you need to know about dental implants and bridges to help you decide which restorative dentistry option is best for you.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges used to be the only option for tooth replacement, and while there are no other options available, dental bridges near you still provide an excellent solution for replacing one or several missing teeth in a row.

Dental bridges work to bridge the gap between missing teeth. A dental bridge is placed using two anchoring dental crowns on the natural teeth on either side of the gap. You will need two healthy and strong teeth to use as anchors.

The bridge holds the replacement tooth or teeth in the center, which are made to match your remaining teeth in shape, color, and size. Most of the time, dental bridges will last for several years, but they do have a few drawbacks.

Firstly, you will need two healthy teeth on either side of the gap for anchors. These teeth will need to be reshaped and filed to accommodate the dental crowns that will hold your replacement teeth in place using your healthy teeth as anchors. This can lead to some oral hygiene problems and will leave your natural healthy teeth vulnerable without the crowns from the bridge to protect them.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the most realistic-looking and closely functioning tooth replacement option. Not only do dental implants look natural, but they also replace the function of the tooth root, stimulating the jawbone and preventing bone deterioration.

To get dental implants, you will need to undergo a surgical procedure performed by a dentist in SE Calgary. They will place a titanium implant post into your jawbone, which will replace your tooth root, and once this has healed, they will place a dental crown over the implant post to complete the restoration.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

Bridges are natural-looking and also offer a simpler and quicker solution compared to dental implants. No surgery is necessary, and you can often get a bridge placed within one week to ten days.

What Are the Drawbacks of Dental Bridges?

Since dental bridges require two healthy teeth as anchors, you may notice that these teeth are more susceptible to decay. Dental bridges last around ten years but do need to be replaced even with perfect oral hygiene.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the best tooth-replacement option available. Not only do they look and act like your natural teeth, but they also promote a healthy jawbone.

If you are missing a single tooth, bone deterioration isn’t a huge issue. However, the more teeth you lose, the more your jaw health is put at risk. Since dental implants mimic the natural actions of a tooth root, it stimulates bone growth while also maintaining your facial structure.

What Are the Drawbacks of Dental Implants?

One of the biggest drawbacks of dental implants is the cost. If you are on a tight budget and your insurance doesn’t cover implants, they may be out of your reach. However, it can’t hurt to speak to a dentist near you about payment plans.

Additionally, dental implants are a far more complicated procedure that requires surgery and a long healing time. It can be uncomfortable to eat and speak while waiting for the implants to fuse to the jaw. It can take several months to complete the dental implant process.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Bridges?

To get a dental bridge, you will need two healthy teeth on each side of the gap to get a bridge placed. Without healthy teeth to support the bridge, it cannot be securely placed. Additionally, if you have any gum disease or tooth decay, you will need to treat these conditions before moving forward with a dental bridge.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Dental implants require healthy gums and a strong jawbone for placement. The jawbone is used to support the implants and plays a vital role in the procedure. In some circumstances, bone loss can be treated with a bone graft. This is often used when dental implants are a patient’s best option to avoid future bone loss.

If you have any of the following risk factors, you may not be eligible for dental implants:

• Smoking
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Severe bone loss
• Alcoholism
• Cancer

Finding the Right Treatment

Although dental implants are more expensive, they are the most permanent tooth replacement solution and will act the same as your natural teeth, making them the best option for replacement.

Before deciding on any form of restorative dental treatment, our team will discuss your options to ensure that you choose the best solution for your specific needs. We will also provide you with cost estimates so you understand the full cost of both treatments and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals today.