Dental bridge vs implant which is better

Losing a tooth is common when we are kids, but as an adult it is a serious situation that requires immediate action. We only have one set of teeth as adults so when we lose those teeth no others will grow back in their place. This is why dental implants and dental bridges are necessary to maintain healthy teeth alignment and jaw structure. Replacement teeth make it easier to speak and eat and can also help avoid issues with breathing and even help keep the jaw and face in a uniform shape. Dental bridges and implants are the most common options available to most people to help fill in the gaps left by missing teeth. Dental bridges essentially are false teeth that are held together by attaching them to surrounding healthy teeth. They can cover one or several missing teeth. Dental implants are more involved and are essentially single fake teeth that are set on a metal post that gets imbedded into the jawbone. Both of these options are viable and can offer help for missing and damaged teeth, but it can be a challenge at times to know which one is right for a particular situation.  Let’s compare the pros and cons of both to help you get a clearer picture of what option might be best for your specific wants and needs.

Closer look at dental bridge vs implant which is better for you

Dental implants and bridges are both popular options when someone loses one or more teeth because they can easily deliver natural-looking results. Like all things in life however, they both come with their own benefits and drawbacks. Here are some key points to consider when comparing bridges and implants:

Dental bridge pros

• More likely to be covered by insurance or have a lower co-pay.
• Doesn’t require bone grafting, excessive implants, or major surgery.
• Often has a lower upfront cost and is easier to pay for out of pocket.
• Must faster overall treatment time and needs fewer visits to complete.

Dental bridge cons

• Recommended to be replaced ever 7 years but can last up to 10 years.
• As the device ages it can look less natural and become discolored.
• Increased risk for cavities and tooth problems of the surrounding teeth.
• May cause some degree of damage the healthy teeth used to secure the bridge.

Dental implant pros

• Lasts 10-15 years or possibly more and are the longest lasting option so far.
• Retain natural-looking appearance with less effort and fewer problems.
• Relatively minor risk of damage to healthy teeth around the implant.
• High success rate of nearly 97 precent over the average 10 year lifespan.

Dental implant cons

• Less changes of it being covered by insurance or likely to have high co-pay.
• Entire process can take up to 6 months from start to finish.
• Much higher upfront cost and harder to pay for out of pocket.
• Major surgery needed to prepare the jawbone and place the implant device.
• High change that the procedure may lead to infection or other complications.

How to choose between an implant and a bridge

A dentist is the best source of insight and recommendations as to what the best option is for your unique needs and your current situation. But here are  a fee things to keep in mind as you weigh your options.

Cost

Dental insurance can dictate what option is right for you. If you are paying out of pocket, then final cost estimates will play a large role in what option you choose. If you need help with payments, talk to your dentist about payment plan options.

Number of missing teeth

For more than on missing tooth in a row, a dental bridge is usually the recommended option. An implant can fill only one tooth at a time so filling multiple teeth this way can greatly increase the cost. Again, your dentists can help you weigh your options.

Overall health

Dental implants involve major surgery and cause trauma to the gums and jawbone and require much longer to recover from the procedure. If you are not in good health or have serious medical conditions, then a bridge may be the safer option for you.

Time

Implants can take a long time to complete because of the many steps involved that require extensive healing between each one. For faster results and easier treatment a bridge may be enough to get you back to almost normal dental health.

Clearly there are many factors to consider when comparing the difference between dental bridge vs implant options.  It can be difficult to determine which is the right choice for both short-term and long-term needs. This is why it is critical to work with your dental care team and to let then guide you towards the option that is best for you!