Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants

If you have one or more missing teeth, it is important that you replace the missing teeth

. The problem is not just cosmetic. If you do not replace a missing tooth, you can suffer significant damage to other teeth. This can include crowding, drift, and malocclusion. It can also include gum collapse, the atrophy of the jawbone, and increased likelihood of infection. The first tooth replacement option was the removable denture, which dates back at least to the ancient Egyptians. More recently, the dental bridge became available as a permanent tooth replacement. As an actual replacement for your missing tooth, a permanent addition to your mouth, the dental bridge represents a significant improvement in dental technology.

However, the dental bridge has recently been superseded by the dental implant, the state-of-the-art treatment for one or more missing teeth.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is one or more false teeth supported by your remaining healthy teeth. To make a dental bridge, crowns are placed on the teeth on either side of the gap to support the artificial tooth--or pontic--that takes the place of the missing tooth or teeth.

Dental bridges can address some of the problems that come from missing teeth. First of all, they replace the missing tooth and give you the appearance of a full smile without unsightly gaps. They also allow you to continue eating many of your favorite foods without difficulty. Most importantly, they can help your teeth maintain proper spacing, avoiding drift and crowding.

However, dental bridges do have some disadvantages. In order to place a dental bridge, the neighboring teeth must be prepared to receive crowns, which leads to a significant decrease in strength and health. Because they are connected to the neighboring teeth, flossing can be a challenge. They also sit on top of the gums, so they do not stimulate or support the gums the same way that natural teeth do, which can lead to some recession of gum tissue. And food can get underneath the bridge, which can be difficult to clean out. Finally, because they are not driven into the jawbone, they do not stimulate the retention of jawbone tissue.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

A dental implant is a completely artificial tooth. It has an artificial root that is placed in your jawbone, and a dental crown that sits on top of the root. It looks and functions like an actual tooth, and, though the crown might occasionally need replacement, a well-cared-for implant root will last a lifetime.

Dental implants have none of the drawbacks of dental bridges. They stimulate the gums and jawbone to prevent atrophy or collapse. They are cared for in exactly the same way as your natural teeth. They do not require any modification of adjacent teeth.

Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants

By: Sara Goldstein

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