If you have lost a tooth, you may have been faced with the
decision to either cover the area with a bridge or with an implant. While the
terms may not be familiar to you, each method has its advantages and
disadvantages. After reading this article you will be able to answer this
question with the help from your trusted dentist.
اضافة اعلان
Definitions
An implant is a fixed solution for missing teeth that is
placed inside the bone, with a fixed crown placed over it after a specific
period decided by your dentist. A bridge is also a fixed prosthesis that is
used to replace missing teeth. Bridges are fabricated in a lab after adjacent
teeth are prepared.
Advantages vs disadvantages
In order to be able to choose between these two options, you
should understand the advantages and disadvantages of each one. The main
advantage of implants is the fact that we don’t need to prepare or jeopardize any
adjacent teeth, which will benefit the longevity of your teeth. Implants also
sometimes include a minor surgical procedure that needs time to heal.
Bridges’ main advantage is the short time they needs to be
fabricated and placed in your mouth. In around one week the prosthesis could be
finished and ready to use. However, preparation of the adjacent teeth, by
removing most of the enamel and sometimes part of the dentin, is mandatory.
Dental implants should last you a lifetime. The implant is
mainly made of titanium, which is a material that should fuse to your jawbone,
and the fact that it is made of such metal makes them very resistant to future
decay. On the other hand, the average lifetime of bridges is 10–15 years.
Since part of your teeth remains beneath it, normal wear and
decay may cause the bridge to fail more easily overtime.
Bridges also initially cost less, but they may need to be
replaced with a new bridge or implant at some point in the future. While implants
may seem more expensive, they can be cost-effective. In addition, due to long
procedural times, implant treatments might be more flexible, allowing patients
to budget the cost in increments.
Oral hygiene
Dental bridges are cemented in your mouth permanently, and their
design creates a challenge when brushing and flossing, especially in the area
of the pontic “false tooth.” Implants, on the other hand, can replace teeth
individually which makes regular home care easier; you can easily brush and
floss around an implant just like your natural tooth.
So implants are better?
It comes as no surprise that implants seem like the better
option, but if so, then why do we still use bridges?
Firstly, medically compromised patients, like uncontrolled
diabetic patients, heavy smokers, and alcoholics should consider bridges over
implants, as failure rates are higher in such cases.
Secondly, having large fillings or teeth that might need
crowns or caps in the future, makes the dental bridge a good option since they
are already compromised.
And finally, cost. If you cannot afford an implant, bridges are
your friend; you should never leave a missing tooth without replacing it! Your
teeth, naturally, will try to close the space between them by overeruption,
which will complicate treatment later.
To summarize, implants are the clear winner here when you
are a medically fit person, if you have healthy adjacent teeth, and the cost is
not an issue. Otherwise, a bridge is a great option for you.
Hopefully, we made clear the differences between implants
and bridges. Of course, your dentist should explain all of these facts
mentioned in this article to help you make your final decision.
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