WHAT’S BETTER: A DENTAL IMPLANT OR A BRIDGE? – PART 3/3 – Kanata Implant Crown Dunrobin

WHAT’S BETTER: A DENTAL IMPLANT OR A BRIDGE?

Keywords: denture, missing teeth, best option for missing teeth, loose dentures, best replacement for missing tooth, dental implant, implant crown, implant bridge, implant denture, implant tooth

 

In the third part of this dental implant blog series, we will cover in more detail which option is more advised and why, how to choose between an implant or a bridge, and other options to consider. (First part here – Second part here)

The most important thing you can do to ensure you find the right treatment for your missing tooth is to talk to your dentist about what options may be right for you. Your trusted dentist can carefully weigh all of the specific considerations of your situation to make the right recommendation for you.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN AN IMPLANT AND A BRIDGE?

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A dentist can advise you about the best tooth replacement for your situation. The best option for you depends on how many teeth you’re missing, your overall health, and your budget.

Investment dental bridge

The cost of the dental bridge is initially slightly less, but it may need to be replaced in the future. Implants – from preparation to final placement – may seem more expensive, but over time can be more cost-effective. Fortunately, most dental insurance providers are paying for a portion of or all of the steps involved. In addition, implant treatment can be more flexible, allowing patients to budget the cost in increments. After extraction, for example, a bone graft is sometimes needed. This graft typically has to heal for several months before implant placement, at which point osseointegration can take anywhere from three to six months before the process is complete.

Practical Reasons dental implants

In the past, a bridge was your only choice, and still involves more than just the missing tooth. The adjacent teeth need to be “prepped” by removing most of the enamel to fabricate the bridge. With dental implants, however, the dentist replaces just the individual tooth for a result that is stronger and permanent. Nonetheless, a dental bridge maybe your best option if the neighboring teeth have large fillings and need crowns or caps in the future. And if the tooth or teeth have been lost for a long time, the gum and bone will have receded and additional procedures beyond the implant are required before placement. The advantages and disadvantages of both procedures can ultimately be discussed with your dentist.

Overall health

Dental implants contribute to excellent dental, oral, and bone health. The jawbone plays a very important role in the procedure as it is needed to support the implants. In some cases, bone loss can be treated with bone grafts.This is often recommended when dental implants would be your best bet to help avoid further bone loss.

Dental implants may be a limited option for people with medical conditions that slow down healing, such as diabetes, leukemia, smoking, alcoholism, uncontrolled gum disease, or severe bone loss.

Oral Care Routine

Your ability to keep your mouth healthy will be easier with an implant. Dental bridges are cemented or “fixed” in the mouth, and involve at least three crowns connected together to fill the space of the missing tooth. This design creates challenges when brushing and flossing, so extra oral hygiene instruction and meticulous home care are crucial. When flossing, in particular, an additional step is needed to thread the floss under the false tooth. More specialized toothbrushes may be helpful under the circumstances. In contrast, implants can replace teeth individually without affecting other teeth, making regular home care more successful. You can effectively brush and floss around an implant just like your natural tooth.

Lifespan

The long lifespan associated with dental implants makes patients over the age of 40 good candidates for this procedure. They may need to be replaced every 15 years or so due to natural wear and tear. Bridges, while possibly more affordable, must be replaced every 5-7 years, and possibly 10 years with the proper care and maintenance.

Aesthetics

What about aesthetics? There isn’t always a simple answer, but your dentist or prosthodontist will be able to advise you. Often the implant will provide the most pleasing result, as your dentist can make the final tooth look just like your natural enamel. Sometimes, an implant can be placed immediately after a tooth extraction, preserving the natural level of bone and improving the final appearance of the dental work.

 

OTHER OPTIONS INSTEAD OF BRIDGES OR IMPLANTS

Dunrobin implant bridge Kanata

 

Bridges and implants aren’t the only options for replacing a lost tooth. Partial dentures and space maintainers may also be used.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are usually made of plastic and metal. They fill gaps from one or several missing teeth.

Partial dentures often resemble your natural teeth and clip to your healthy teeth to stay in place. A dentist may recommend a denture when the teeth surrounding your missing tooth aren’t healthy enough to support a bridge.

Although they’re generally cheaper than bridges or implants, they usually aren’t as comfortable or stable as they are removable appliances. They may also interfere with your eating or speaking and need to be cleaned often.

Space maintainers

Space maintainers may be an option if you can’t afford to replace your tooth right away. They’re usually built from pieces of metal that prevent the teeth on either side of your missing tooth from shifting. These are commonly used in children to allow adult teeth to emerge unobstructed, or used to keep the space of missing teeth. This will help keep the surrounding teeth from tipping into space but will not prevent bone loss.

Your dentist will want to provide you with the right solution that will be as conservative as possible while providing years of continued use. Marchwood Dental Kanata can help you address any missing teeth and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Schedule an appointment with an experienced dentist today.