LEFT: The dental implant has melded with the jaw bone. RIGHT: The implant is fitted with a dental crown.
If you’ve recently lost a tooth, then you’re probably weighing your different replacement options. Thankfully, you have a few treatments to choose from. Two of the most popular solutions are a dental bridge or a dental implant. Here’s a rundown of the main differences between the two so you can get a better idea of which is right for you.
Structure & Procedure
A dental bridge is an attachment that’s secured to the teeth next to your gap in order to stay in place. A dental implant is a post that goes into your gums, mimicking the shape and position of a natural tooth. Because of these differences, the way each is placed is also different. When getting a dental bridge, you may need to get dental crowns on top of the nearby teeth for the bridge to attach to. On the other hand, getting a dental implant requires surgery so that the titanium post can be embedded into the jawbone. This is also why the entire implant procedure can last significantly longer than getting a bridge.
Lower jaw supported bridge. Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0
Effect on Other Teeth
When you get a bridge, it’s important that the teeth on either side of the missing teeth are strong and healthy to support the artificial tooth that will go between them. When you get a dental implant, your surrounding teeth won’t be affected. Although you will need to have healthy gums and a sufficient amount of bone in your jaw to support the implant placement. If you don’t, you may need to get an additional procedure called a bone graft so that your implant can be successful.
Cost & Lifespan
A dental bridge is a more cost-effective option than a dental implant. Both procedures require a dental professional to make a custom artificial tooth. The latter, however, is a more complex process due to the surgical component. It’s important when considering the cost of a dental bridge versus a dental implant to think about the long-term investment. A dental bridge may be cheaper initially but it generally lasts for 5 to 15 years before needing a replacement. A dental implant can last as long as 25 years.
Find Answers to Your Questions in Travelers Rest
As you can see, dental bridges and dental implants both fulfill the same purpose of replacing missing teeth. If you’re still on the fence about what’s right for you, let the Paris Mountain Dental team help. There are some differences between them, from the procedure to the price. And if the price is your main concern, we offer numerous payment options. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have!