Dental Bridge vs. Dental Implant
Tooth loss is very common. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 6adults that are 65 and older have lost all their teeth. That is a 17% chance, so tooth loss is not out of the norm. Regardless of how common it is, no one really wants to lose their teeth. They provide too many functions to lose, including the breakdown of our food, enabling us to clearly pronounce our words, and they shape our faces. Our teeth are valuable and that is why the dental bridges and implants were created to solve the tooth loss problems we may face.
A dental bridge and implant are two of the most common tooth replacement options. It is crucial that you choose to get one of these to fill the space of your lost tooth, so that was your mouth stays aligned and you are able to have the same functions as you would normally. Not many know the differences between a bridge and an implant, so we wanted to break that down in the simplest way for you.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a false tooth that literally “bridges” over the gap where one or more of your teeth used to be. At our office, our process to a bridge goes as so:
First, we address the area of the missing tooth to decide if a bridge is the right option. To decide this, the biggest factor is making sure you have two teeth on either side of the missing gap. These two teeth are known as the anchor teeth. With these two teeth, we shave them down, so that way the bridge has something to grab onto to for a safe and strong grasp. A bridge comes as a “set” of three teeth. In the image below, you can see how they would sit on top of the shaven teeth.
The next step we take at our office after determining that a bridge is the right course of action, is to use our iTero Scanner to take a digital 3D scan of your mouth. This is very convenient for our patients, because we avoid the goopy mess that everyone hates and in case of a sensitive gum area due to your recent tooth loss, the patient also avoids and pain and discomfort. Our scanner simply takes a 3D photo of your mouth, giving the same results as you would have with impressions. We take these images and send them to our lab for a porcelain bridge to be fabricated.
The last step we take happens when the bridge has been created. In office, we cement the bridge on, over your anchor teeth for a permanent tooth replacement. A successful bridge will provide nearly all the same functions you had previously with your old tooth.
To ensure a bridge lasts longer, the anchor teeth need to extra care. One of the biggest reasons a bridge fails is due to cavities on the anchor teeth. Once you have a bridge custom made for you as a solution, it should become a priority to protect this investment. You can schedule regular cleanings and checkups to ensure everything is up to par and the bridge is still intact.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is an independent tooth replacement. A bridge needs other teeth to support the structure, while an implant is a single replacement. There are three parts to an implant, the implant itself, which serves as the root of your new tooth, the abutment which is the connector that goes into the implant and the tooth, and the crown which plays the role of the prosthetic tooth. To achieve this process, it takes more time than a dental bridge repair, but lasts longer and doesn’t damage the surrounding teeth. Here is the process we take at our office:
First, like the bridge, we address the area of tooth loss and determine what option is right. If the best option is an implant, we will brief you and refer you to our local oral surgeon for your implant to be placed. At the oral surgeon, a metal artificial tooth root is mounted into your jawbone with screws. The procedure is typical and an outpatient surgery.
The next step is healing. Before the process continues on, it is important to make sure the implant is completely healed and that the jawbone has tightened and grown around the metal to ensure that the structure doesn’t slip.
After the healing process, we will have you come into our office to get a digital 3D scan, just like in the bridge procedure. We will use these images of your mouth to create a custom abutment. The abutment is the connector that secures the crown to the implant, almost like a little cone that screws into the implant.
The last step for a dental implant is to top it off with your tooth, which is the crown. We make ours out of porcelain, so the tooth looks natural and is also durable to act as a real tooth.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, these procedures depend on the patient. Some may opt for the easier and shorter route of a bridge. A bridge doesn’t take as much time as it doesn’t require and surgeries and healing time. Though it is a quicker process, there can be some cons. With poor oral hygiene, the bridge may fail and damage your surrounding teeth. Also, the bridge may need to be replaced every so often. A bridge does have a lower upfront cost and is generally covered by insurance.
A dental implant on the other hand is a more time consuming and semi-invasive procedure but ensures a long-lasting tooth replacement that is natural and independent. With an implant, no other teeth are damaged, and the implant has a high success rate. The implant is more costly and less likely to be covered by insurance.
To determine which option is best for you, your dentist will be able to help you decide and provide you with additional information based on your individual situations.
If you have tooth loss and are looking for a more permanent solution, call us today to set up an appointment for a dental bridge or dental implant consultation.
Green Leaf Dental Care