Teeth replacements have actually come a long way in the last 30 years. Missing out on or extracted teeth raise typical concerns of infection, but the proper replacement is the essential to a positive smile. Today, nevertheless, the questions you need to ask your dental expert or prosthodontist are a bit different: What’s the distinction in between a dental bridge vs. implant? Which treatment alternative is right for me? Extremely often the dental implant is ideal, however many factors will need to be thought about first, consisting of if your missing teeth is recent or took place years back.
Dental Bridge vs. Implant
For purposes of this conversation, teeth generally have two main parts; the crown is the part you see in the mouth, and the root is the part that is encased in bone and keeps the tooth in location. A dental implant is really a root replacement, and unlike the root of a tooth, it is actually fused to the bone of the jaw. A crown is connected to the implant and in result it ends up being a stand-alone tooth, functioning and appearing just like the natural tooth you have actually lost. The basic requirements for an effective implant include:
- an enough amount and quality of bone to anchor or support the implant,
- the adjacent teeth and gums are healthy,
- and the quality of the adjacent teeth will allow for a natural-looking cosmetic result.
By contrast, a fixed bridge is a restoration or prosthesis (replacement part), that is fixed in place by attaching to the natural nearby teeth. The tooth to be changed is called a “pontic” after the French “pont” for bridge. The adjacent teeth, called abutments, just like a bridge spanning a river or canyon, provide assistance on either side. The manner in which the bridge connects is that the abutment teeth are “prepared” by eliminating the enamel layer and are replaced by crowns (caps) to which the false tooth (pontic) is attached. Hence a three-unit bridge is 3 crowns collaborated with the middle crown being an incorrect tooth, with the side crowns sealed or bonded to the surrounding natural teeth.
Bridge or implant: advantages and disadvantages at a glance
| # | Dental implant** | Dental Bridge* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Compatibility | Titanium or ceramic: high biocompatibility | Metal or ceramic: high biocompatibility |
| 2 | Durability | Optimal fixation for setting in the jaw with healthy bone | Very good fixation with sufficient strength of adjacent teeth |
| 3 | Expenses | High | Less |
| 4 | Treatment duration | About 2-6 months | Usually a few weeks |
| 5 | Disadvantages | Surgical intervention is fraught with risk: infection, rejection | Grinding of adjacent teeth: destabilization |
*A bridge: What is it?
A bridge is a structure that consists of three or more units standing in a row. The outermost elements are fixed to the supporting teeth, and the central part acts as a replacement for the missing tooth. This technique is used when restoring one or two units.
The material used for bridges is either metal-ceramic or zirconia. Specialists do not recommend the use of ceramic, because it is brittle and is not able to withstand increased loads.
**What is an implant?
An implant is a multi-piece construction that includes a post, an abutment, and a crown. The post is a titanium post that resembles and replaces the root of the tooth. During implantation, it is implanted into the bone tissue in place of the missing unit in the row. After a few months, the implant is fully engrafted: it fuses with the bone. Then an abutment is screwed into it, which connects the implant and the crown. The visible part enables a full restoration of chewing and aesthetic function of the tooth. The crown looks like a natural unit, as it is as close to it as possible in terms of enamel shade and shape.
How to put a bridge on your teeth: pros and cons
The popularity of dental bridges initially lies in the moderate cost and quick installation. A dental bridge is set up in a couple of weeks.
The bridge consists of a crown that acts as an imitation of the lost tooth. The crown is fixed to the teeth next to it. These are called the supporting teeth.
That is, when choosing whether to have a dental bridge or an implant, it should be understood that modern dental treatment in the first case involves grinding down the dental units.
Bridges can be made of several types of material. The doctor decides together with the patient which sample to choose. The clinical case, bite and financial capabilities of the patient matter. If the patient treats his new smile carefully and takes care of his dentition properly, the artificial product will last for 5-10 years.
The advantages of bridge prosthetics include:
- fast restoration of up to 4 teeth;
- no need to get used to it, there is no discomfort in the mouth after the procedure is completed;
- the patient is allowed to immediately put weight on the bridge;
- diction is not impaired;
- The dentition looks aesthetic.
The disadvantages of dental bridge include:
- periodic replacement of the product, necessary due to the natural mobility of dental units and
- Uncementation of the structure, which occurs over time;
- High pressure is placed on the supporting teeth;
- The bone tissue in the jaw, where the tooth used to be, atrophies.
By grinding down your supporting teeth to fix the bridge, you will inevitably shorten their lifespan. How quickly they deteriorate and need to be replaced is an individual matter, but the removal of the layer of living tissue is not good for you in any case. If there are no contraindications to implantation, it is better to install artificial roots and fix a bridge on them. In this case, you do not damage healthy teeth and get a guarantee of long-term trouble-free operation of the prosthesis.
Can bridges be placed on implants? Yes, because this way the neighboring teeth are not loaded and defects are avoided. A bridge is attached to two or more implants.
If there is an implant on one side and a live tooth on the other, the fixation level in the bone can be different. This causes the support to become loose. Soon you can lose a healthy supporting tooth. Therefore, this technique is not recommended.
Dental implants: pros and cons
Iplant is a strong rod made of titanium material. If the installation of the implant is done correctly, it lasts a lifetime. But how long dental implants are placed also depends on the degree of wear and tear of the crown. It needs to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
The advantages of placing implants are:
- No impact on neighboring healthy teeth;
- No atrophy of bone tissue;
- The construction is placed in the jawbone and prevents the alteration of the location of the dental units.
Disadvantages of implant prosthetics:
- a long period of engraftment;
- high price;
- There can be postoperative complications, especially in the elderly or in the presence of serious chronic diseases.
Decisive factors in avoiding complications are the qualification of the dentist, a careful preliminary diagnosis, and subsequent care according to the doctor’s recommendations.
One can argue about dental implants for and against for a long time, but it is the only technology for full-fledged restoration of even a few teeth. Sometimes it happens that the surgery is done immediately after the extraction of a unit of teeth. Such a procedure is called a one-stage implantation.
What can replace the tooth implantation
When restoring the tooth row, it is necessary to consider the contraindications, in which the implants will have to be abandoned.
Contraindications are the following diseases
- malignant tumors;
- tuberculosis;
- poor blood clotting;
- psychoneurosis;
- Chronic diseases of the oral cavity;
- Disrupted functioning of the endocrine and immune systems.
Caution should be exercised when performing prosthetics with implants in the following indications:
- caries;
- Inflammations of all kinds;
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- Abnormal development of the jaw.
Practical Reasons for Both
In the past, a bridge was your only choice, and still involves more than simply the missing tooth. The nearby teeth need to be “prepped” by getting rid of most of the enamel in order to make the bridge. With dental implants, however, the dental professional replaces just the individual tooth for a result that is stronger and long-term. Nevertheless, a dental bridge may be your best option if the neighboring teeth have big fillings and need crowns or caps in the future. And if the tooth or teeth have actually been lost for a long time, the gum and bone will have declined and treatments beyond the implant are needed before placement. The advantages and drawbacks to both treatments can ultimately be gone over with your dentist.
Oral Care Routine
Your ability to keep your mouth healthy will be easier with an implant. Dental bridges are sealed or “repaired” in the mouth, and include at least 3 crowns linked together to fill the space of the missing tooth. This design develops difficulties when brushing and flossing, so extra oral hygiene guideline and meticulous home care are important. When flossing, in specific, an additional step is had to thread the floss under the incorrect tooth. More inclusive toothbrushes might be handy under the circumstances. In contrast, implants can replace teeth separately without affecting other teeth, making regular home care more successful. You can successfully brush and floss around an implant similar to your natural tooth.
Durability
Dental implants are more long lasting than bridges, permitting them to offer protection that lasts a lifetime. The implant’s metal cylinder is typically made from titanium, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), and this product fuses with your jawbone naturally through a procedure called osseointegration. Because it’s made of such a strong metal, they are really resistant to decay and gum issues. The typical life of a dental bridge, on the other hand, is approximately 10 years. A portion of your natural tooth remains beneath it and normal wear may cause the bridge to fail more quickly gradually. In basic, the remaining tooth structure continues to be vulnerable to decay and gum disease.
How long do modern implants and bridges last?
Gone are the days of wobbly dentures, which often made life difficult for the older generation. “Especially in those who wear partial and full dentures, the jawbone regresses because of improper loading,” dentists explain. – And that’s exactly what can lead to instability.” A problem that patients with modern dental implants only smile about.
Small artificial roots made of titanium or zirconium oxide hold securely attached crowns or bridges and thus provide the patient with a perfect bite, firmly anchored to their own teeth in the bone. “No method replaces missing teeth as naturally and unobtrusively as implants,” stresses the experts.
Implants: with proper care, they last a lifetime.
Bridges: 15 years and longer.
When talking about the long-term durability of dental bridges, it is important to understand the difference between the longevity of the structure itself and its possible lifespan. For example, placing even the highest quality restoration on the supporting teeth is an abnormal load on them. This means that these teeth are at risk – they may decay prematurely, and the question of restoring the tooth row becomes relevant again.
Where are the risks higher during installation?
Both prostheses are made of high-quality materials that are safe for your health.
With implants, risks cannot be ruled out during treatment because the stability of the jawbone serves as the basis for a strong and durable implant. Despite the positive outlook, problems with the artificial tooth root can occur during the healing period. If the gums become inflamed or preliminary bone augmentation fails, the implant cannot be treated.
In the case of diabetes, leukemia, heart disease or serious immune system disorders, implants are recommended only in rare exceptional cases.
To be safe and make the right decision between an implant and a bridge, it is important to trust your dentist, and if in doubt, consult another doctor, because the popular wisdom says “one head is good, but two is better.
What is more painful to install?
Because dental implant placement is a surgical procedure, the risks are automatically increased and temporary pain may occur during the healing period. Re-building your teeth with a bridge is an uncomplicated procedure that eliminates the possibility of pain.
For painless and quick restoration of missing teeth, a bridge is preferable.
The treatment itself is painless in both cases because anesthesia is applied locally during both procedures.
Prevention of bone loss
After tooth loss, negative changes occur in the jaw. Where there was a root, the jaw bone tissue begins to resorb. Therefore, another advantage of implantation is that the introduction of an artificial tooth root prevents bone atrophy.
The jawbone under bridges is not under pressure, so bone loss occurs. This is a disadvantage of these dentures.
The reduction of the jawbone is directly related to the appearance. Mimicry is disturbed, the cheeks and lips droop, wrinkles appear, and the face has an aged appearance.
Aesthetics
What about visual appeals? There isn’t always a simple answer, but your dental professional or prosthodontist– the latter concentrates on crown, implants and bridges– will be able to encourage you. Often the implant will provide the most pleasing result, as your dental professional can make the final tooth look similar to your natural enamel. Sometimes, an implant can be placed immediately after a tooth extraction, protecting the natural level of bone and improving the final look of the dental work.
Dental Bridge Cost Vs. Implant Cost
The cost of the dental bridge is at first less, however it may need to be replaced eventually in the future. Implants– from preparation to last placement– might appear more costly, however in time can be more economical. Thankfully, most dental insurance providers are paying for a portion of or all of the steps included. In addition, implant treatment can be more flexible, allowing patients to spending plan the cost in increments. After extraction, for instance, a bone graft is sometimes needed. This graft normally needs to recover for a number of months before implant placement, at which point osseointegration can take anywhere from 3 to six months prior to the process is total.
Dental bridges are an inexpensive tooth replacement alternative. The cost of dental bridges differs and a lot of patients pay between $300 and $1,000 for a bridge to replace a single tooth. You’ll pay more for an all-porcelain bridge than for a metal or porcelain-fused bridge. If you need a cantilever bridge or your dentist needs to do comprehensive work on your remaining teeth in order to support the bridge, your costs might be greater. Look for a “dental expert near me,” to discover more specific cost price quotes.
The dental implant or the “tooth root” of this procedure, can be anywhere between $1,000 to $3,000. But the dental implant is only one piece of the cake.
Other costs that ought to be factored in are the abutment which is usually about $300 to $500, and the crown which is usually $1,000 to $2,000. Then we will need to determine if your teeth require to be extracted which will have to do with $100 to $500 for each extraction. Depending upon the strength and density of your jaw, bone graft might likewise be required to make sure a secure and stable ground for the implant itself. This usually costs $400 to $600.
Bridge on implants
A modern and practical method of dental prosthetics is an implant bridge. It is a bridge that is attached to a dental implant. Artificial tooth roots are implanted in the jaw to which the bridge is subsequently attached. It is more durable and stable than a classical bridge.
Alternatively, an implant bridge is suitable for the replacement of two or three teeth. A fixed implant in the middle of the gap is ideal as a holder for a small bridge.
Because the implant must be held firmly and support the bridge, this treatment method is only suitable if the jawbone is in good condition and allows implantation without problems.
What to replace a masticatory tooth with: a bridge or an implant
The main requirement for the restoration of masticatory teeth is the strength of the construction, because it will be subjected to intensive stress. Therefore, the implant is the best solution in this case. The implant is actively involved in chewing and distributes the load evenly.
A bridge is not the most suitable construction in this situation, because the risk of breakage is quite high when placed in this area. In addition, the supporting teeth may soon collapse due to the increased stress.
Final Word
So, dental bridge vs. implant? Make this choice after speaking with your dentist. She or he understands your mouth best and has the tools and understanding to assist you through what’s best for it. Although bridges are an older procedure, dental implants have actually ended up being more commonplace throughout the years, and in most cases are the more suitable treatment both in time and expense.