Should You Get a Bridge or Dental Implant?

As children, we are eager when one of our baby teeth falls out, searching under our pillows in the morning to see how much money the Tooth Fairy left. Yet as adults, nothing is worse than when a permanent tooth is lost due to accident or dental condition.

A cosmetic dentist offers dental implants or bridges to people who have lost one tooth or several teeth. Choosing which option need not be a very difficult decision when you consider the pros and cons for each device while speaking to the dentist about what will work best.

DENTAL BRIDGES

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device that is held in place permanently by attaching to the other teeth. The teeth on other side of the empty space are filed down. Then crowns with the artificial tooth are attached to the filed teeth to fill in the gap.

Pros: Dental bridges have been the traditional method of replacing a lost tooth because it is a successful procedure that most people can undergo. The procedure can be completed in a couple months, and bridges can last up to 10 years with proper care. Bridges are aesthetically pleasing for people who are worried about how their teeth will look.

Cons: If any of the natural teeth that the bridge attaches to breaks or develops decay, the bridge will have to be replaced. Since the natural teeth are filed down, they are more prone in developing periodontal disease, plaque accumulations, and nerve damage that will need a root canal procedure, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

A dental implant involves a surgical procedures where a titanium screw is implanted into the bone where the original tooth was lost. An implant abutment and crown are attached to the screw to give the appearance of a real tooth. For people who have lost multiple teeth, an implant can also be used as an anchor for dentures.

Pros: Dental implant procedures can be done at Great Lakes Dental Arts. The success rate for a dental implant is 98%. The implanted tooth works just as well, or even better, than the original tooth and can last for a lifetime with proper care.

Cons: Dental implants typically cost more than bridges. Since it is a surgical procedure, some people may not be candidates for dental implants based on their health issues.

Speak with an implant dentist at Great Lakes Dental Arts to decide which procedure is right for you.