Dental implants and dental bridges are both dental restoration options that fill the space left by missing teeth. Our Langley dentists will take the following factors into consideration when prescribing either of these teeth replacement options.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
It is very important that missing teeth be replaced as soon as possible, as leaving gaps in the teeth can result in serious dental problems.
The surrounding teeth will eventually shift out of position, causing issues like discomfort, TMJ symptoms, difficulty chewing or speaking, and possibly tooth decay and gum disease. Missing teeth will also cause the supporting bone to deteriorate over time, resulting in changes in the appearance of your whole face.
Should I choose a dental bridge or an implant?
Dental bridges are dental appliances that “bridge” the gaps left by missing teeth. They are typically attached to the adjacent teeth, or in some cases, to a dental implant placed for the purpose.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are tooth root replacements made of titanium and capped with a dental crown to permanently replace a tooth.
The benefits of dental implants is that they look, act and feel just like natural teeth do, and are a more secure and permanent option.
Nevertheless, a dental bridge may be a better tooth replacement option for you if the neighboring teeth have large fillings in the, and may need crowns or caps down the road.
In addition, if the tooth or teeth have been missing for a long time, the gum and bone will have receded to some extent. This will mean that additional, more invasive procedures may be required in preparation for the implant, such as bone and gum grafts. For some people, getting an implant (as opposed to a bridge) is not worth the extra time, discomfort and expense.