Have you or are you considering a bridge or dental implant? We’ve covered dental implants before but here’s a comparison of the two to help you know what would be best for you. First things first, what are bridges? Bridges get their name because they bridge the gap caused by a missing tooth. Why a dental implant over a bridge? How do bridges look?
Dental Bridges
According to Health Line, “A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic) that is held in place by the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. Although pontics can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, typically they’re made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth.”
Dental Implants
What about an implant? An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium: the same material used in many replacement hips and knees, and a metal that is well-suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.
Why Dental Implants Instead of a Bridge?
Why a dental implant over a bridge? Conventional bridges are not fixed to the bone and can therefore be unstable. This can make it difficult to eat or smile with confidence. Dental implants not only look more natural, but feel and act more like normal teeth, with a stronger biting force. And because they don’t directly rely on neighboring teeth for support, implants don’t compromise the health of your natural teeth. In fact, bridges are only expected to last seven to ten years, whereas implants will typically last a lifetime.
Have more questions about what is best for you? Need more replacements than just a few? Contact us today to ask any questions you may have and set up a consultation to find out if dental implants or even Teeth-In-A-Day are right for you.