If you have missing teeth, you may experience self-consciousness about your appearance. Luckily, there are several effective dental restoration options for replacing missing teeth.
Among the most popular are dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures. However, if you want a semi-permanent or permanent replacement option, you’ll want to consider a tooth bridge vs implant for your restorative dental treatment.
A dental implant offers the benefits of longevity and permanence and performs the function of a natural tooth root by stimulating your jawbone. Understand the process and find out if a dental implant is the right choice for you.
What is a Tooth Bridge?
A dental bridge is a porcelain or ceramic device that can replace one to four teeth. The artificial tooth, called a pontic, is supported by two healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth’s socket.
The adjacent teeth, also known as abutment teeth, must be shaped to accommodate the bridge’s caps. This means that the treatment is irreversible.
At Available Dental Care, we use CEREC technology to fabricate high-quality dental bridges. Once the abutment teeth are shaped, your dentist uses an intraoral camera and 3D scanning technology to take digital images of your mouth. This data is input into the CEREC software program to design a custom dental bridge.
The design specs are sent to an on-site milling machine, where your bridge is fabricated from a single solid block of zirconia ceramic. Once the bridge is ready, the dentist cements it in place.
What is a Dental Implant?
When deciding between a dental bridge vs implant, consider that a dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement procedure. Dental implants consist of a titanium post with screw-like threads that embed into your jawbone. The dental implant is topped with a ball-shaped abutment that connects the dental implant to an artificial restoration.
Several restorations are used for dental implants, including a dental crown, a bridge, or a denture plate, depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced.
If you require an entire arch of teeth replaced, your dentist will recommend All-on-4 dental implants. All-on-4 dental implants use four implant posts – two at the back of the dental arch and two placed at an angle towards the front of the arch – to secure a denture plate in place.
The dental implant posts are surgically embedded into your jaw, allowing the bone tissue to fuse to the metal through a process called osseointegration. This creates a firm foundation for dental restoration. After osseointegration, you return to the dentist to have the abutment placed and the restoration fitted.
Tooth Bridge vs Implant: Pros and Cons
When deciding between a tooth bridge vs implant for replacing missing teeth, consider the advantages of each option. Factors like the success rate and total cost of each procedure may impact your preference.
Length of treatment
One of the benefits of dental bridges vs implants is the short treatment length. With CEREC technology, you can leave our clinic the same day with a brand-new smile.
Dental implants have a longer treatment time. Although the actual implant surgery only takes approximately one hour per implant, you need several weeks of recovery time after the procedure to allow for osseointegration.
Treatment cost
A dental bridge doesn’t stimulate the jawbone underneath, causing bone resorption and tooth misalignment over time. This can lead to ill-fitting bridges and premature wear and tear. Consequently, bridges need to be replaced every 5-10 years, which adds to the overall cost of ownership.
Longevity
Dental implants have a clear advantage if you’re looking for the longest-lasting option. One study of over 12,000 implants found a 93.3% survival rate after 20 years. In comparison, you can expect dental bridges to last up to 10 years, with one UK study finding dental bridges only have a 72% survival rate after a decade.
Get High-Quality Restorative Treatment With Available Dental Care
At Available Dental Care, we offer a range of restorative dental treatments, including dental bridges and dental implants. Dental implants are the closest thing to having your natural teeth back, so talk to our dentists about whether tooth implants are a viable option for you.
An improved appearance, clearer speech, boosted self-esteem, and easier chewing are just a few of the most significant benefits of receiving dental implants. To schedule a consultation and start the process of replacing missing teeth today, call us on (02) 4062 8763.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Ten year survival of bridges placed in the General Dental Services in England and Wales
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22864053/
Long-term evaluation of ANKYLOS® dental implants, part i: 20-year life table analysis of a longitudinal study of more than 12,500 implants
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24103113/
What is CEREC Dentistry?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/what-is-cerec-in-dentistry
Cost of Dental Care
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cost-of-dental-care