Implant Placement Versus Bridge Placement

 When a tooth is missing, the proper replacement is key.  Very often a dental implant is ideal, but numerous factors will need to be considered first, including if your tooth loss is recent or happened years ago. In the past, a bridge was your only choice, and still involves more than just the missing tooth. The adjacent teeth need to be prepared for crowns by removing 1.5mm of the enamel all the way around the tooth and off the top in order to fabricate the bridge. With dental implants, however, the dentist replaces just the individual tooth for a result that is stronger and permanent. Nonetheless, a dental bridge may be your best option if the neighboring teeth have large fillings and need crowns in the future. And if the tooth or teeth have been lost for a long time, the gum and bone will have receded and procedures beyond the implant are required before placement. The advantages and disadvantages to both procedures can ultimately be discussed with your dentist.
Choosing an implant has many benefits that outweigh a bridge.  Dental bridges are cemented in the mouth, and involve at least three crowns fixed together to fill the space of the missing tooth. This design creates challenges when brushing and flossing, so extra oral hygiene steps and meticulous home care are crucial. When flossing, an additional step is needed to thread the floss under the false tooth. In contrast, implants can replace teeth individually without affecting other teeth, making regular home care more successful. You can effectively brush and floss around an implant just like your natural tooth which helps compliancy.
While the cost of a good quality implant may deter you from choosing this route, in the long run you will actually be saving money. If placed properly, an implant will last your entire lifetime. The crown may need to be replaced if it fails. A dental bridge lasts about seven to 10 years depending on oral hygiene. Because a bridge contains three crowns, rather than one with an implant, the cost becomes exponentially greater when needing to replace it.  If you are considering a dental implant or bridge, we would love to help choose the best option that fits your lifestyle.
For more information, please call Kimberly A. Rosen DDS at 661-255-2545.