When you're considering the best way to replace missing or broken teeth, your dentist will mostly likely offer you several choices. Two of the most popular choices in dental repair include putting in a bridge or getting dental implants. Bridges are less expensive, but implants have a variety of great benefits that a bridge cannot provide. Before you decide which option will work best for you, read on to learn more about the differences between these two methods.
Impacts on Teeth
If you get a dental implant, it will protect your other teeth. This is because there is no need for the other teeth around it to have to provide support for the implant. With a bridge, it must rely on the surrounding teeth to support it, which can cause strain on those teeth over time. An implant stands alone, and therefore does not require your other teeth to do any extra work. For a bridge to be effective, the other teeth must be strong and healthy in order to support itself. With implants, your dentist can install them as needed and wherever you want to put them without relying on other teeth nearby.
Maintenance
Once a dental implant is installed, it needs very little extra maintenance. You would treat the implant just like you would a natural tooth and brush and floss like you normally do. With a bridge, you'll do the same thing, however it may need to be replaced over time. Bridges can also slip if you floss or brush too hard, so you must be especially vigilant. Implants should last a lifetime, while the typical bridge must be replaced every ten or fifteen years. While implants have a higher upfront cost, the bridge may cost the same in the long run since it will need to be replaced several time throughout your life.
Procedures
Implants require surgery and several sittings, while bridges are a much more simple procedure that can usually be done in one sitting. You will not need to have them fitted or changed once the bridge is put in. With implants, you will have to return several times to ensure the base is put in correctly and then have the actual implant added to it. If you have any damage to your jaw, a bridge is recommended since it will be less painful. Implants require a healthy jaw bone in order to be installed properly. Talk to you dentist about all of your options and your circumstances before you decide which method is best for you.
To learn more about dental implants, contact a company like Olympia Dental and Implant Center.
