Do you have a missing tooth that you want to have fixed by a dentist? Two common options that you have to pick from are a dental implant and a dental bridge. Both have their own pros and cons, which are important to know before you make a decision.
Dental Implant
A dental implant is going to be a permanent solution to your missing tooth. That is because it is corrected by putting a titanium post into your jawbone, which integrates with the bone to secure itself to it. The process is known as osseointegration, and it can take several months for the post to fully bond to the jawbone.
The main advantage of a dental implant is that it looks and functions like a real tooth. Taking care of it means that all you need to do is brush and floss it like any other tooth in your mouth. Even though the tooth is an artificial tooth, it still needs to be cleaned to get rid of the plaque that collects along the gum line.
One of the disadvantages is the cost of a dental implant. It is going to be much more expensive than a dental bridge, which can make it unaffordable to some patients. However, the long-term benefits can be well worth the cost.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge will potentially be a permanent solution to a missing tooth, but it really depends on the health of the surrounding teeth. That's because a bridge requires putting a crown on the surrounding teeth to support the bridge. If those teeth were to fail, then the dental bridge will fail as well.
A benefit to having a dental bridge instead of an implant will be the cost. Even though it requires two crowns on the surrounding teeth, it is still cheaper than a dental implant. It also provides instant results, with a dental bridge that you can start using for eating immediately.
However, a dental bridge will permanently alter those surrounding teeth to put a crown on them, even though the teeth are completely healthy. A bridge also requires you to take extra care to clean underneath the bridge, which can be hard to do with a traditional toothbrush and dental floss.
Looking for more information about dental bridges or implants? Reach out to your dentist for more information, since they can explain more about the pros and cons of both methods to replace a missing tooth.
For more information on dental implants and dental bridges, contact a professional near you.
Share