When Are Dental Implants Better Than Bridges?
Dental implants are a popular choice for replacing missing or damaged teeth. Compared to more traditional methods such as bridges and dentures, dental implants offer superior strength and longevity that can withstand the forces of chewing and grinding. But when are dental implants better than bridges? In this blog, we’ll discuss the advantages of using dental implants over bridges and look at when they should be used in place of bridges.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone underneath your gums. Once implanted, these posts act as artificial tooth roots that provide a solid foundation upon which replacement teeth can be attached. Because dental implants become part of your jawbone, they are incredibly strong and durable, making them an ideal solution for replacing missing or damaged teeth.
Advantages of Dental Implants Over Bridges
Bridges have been the go-to solution for replacing multiple teeth for many years. However, there are some key advantages to choosing dental implants over bridges:
• Dental Implants Last Longer
Unlike bridges that need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years, dental implants can last up to 25 years with proper care and maintenance. This means you won’t have to worry about getting your bridge replaced in the near future.
• Dental Implants Don’t Require Removing Teeth
Bridges require removing healthy teeth from either side of the gap to mount them in place. With dental implants, no other teeth have to be removed in order remaining teeth don’t have to bear extra strain due to increased pressure from the bridge.
• Dental Implants Keep Your Jaw-bone Healthy
When natural teeth are missing, the underlying bone begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation by biting and chewing forces. By providing artificial roots for replacement teeth, dental implants help maintain your jawbone’s health by stimulating it just like natural roots do.
• Dental Implants Don’t Decay
Bridges require special brushing techniques, making it difficult or impossible for some people with dexterity issues or limited mobility due to age or disability. With a dental implant, no special cleaning is required, and there is no chance of decay since it is not made from organic material like enameled tooth structure is susceptible to.
When Should You Use Dental Implants Over Bridges?
A bridge might still be an option if you’re missing one or more consecutive teeth due to trauma or decay. It depends on how many adjacent healthy teeth remain at the border of the tooth gap. If there aren’t any adjacent healthy teeth, a bridge won’t work because it needs something else as support on either side.
Opting for dental bridges is undoubtedly better than dentures, as they tend to slip while eating and talking. Dental implants become useful in this situation. They don’t need anything else as support because they become part of your jawbone.
Sometimes even dental bridging isn’t possible due to insufficient surrounding healthy supporting Tooth structure. Going for dental implant treatment is undoubtedly the best option under such circumstances so that you can return to your normal smiling face again!
For those who have experienced tooth loss due to age or injury, it’s essential to consider all available options to make an informed decision about what’s best for you moving forward. When comparing dental bridges versus dental implants as a replacement solution for missing teeth, it’s clear that in most cases, dental implants offer superior strength and durability with fewer associated risks than traditional bridges.
FAQs
Q1: What Are Dental Implants?
A1: Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone underneath your gums that act as artificial tooth roots providing a solid foundation upon which replacement teeth can be attached.
Q2: What Are The Advantages Of Using Dental Implants Over Bridges?
A2: The advantages of using dental implants over bridges include longer-lasting results (up to 25 years). It requires no removal of healthy surrounding teeth for the placement of the implant, stimulation of underlying bone tissue to maintain its health, and resistance against decay. It does not contain organic material, which enamel tooth structure does contain, making it susceptible to decay.
Q3: When Should I Use Dental Implants Over Bridges?
A3: If you’re missing one or more consecutive teeth due to trauma or decay and there aren’t any adjacent healthy supporting tooth structures, then opting for full-blown implant treatment would be the best.
