Dental implants and dental bridges are excellent ways to replace a number of missing teeth. That said, both of these tooth replacement options have their pros and cons. Below, our Delta dentists explain more about dental implants vs dental bridges.
Dental bridges and dental implants are both great tooth replacement options to consider if you are looking to replace a number of side-by-side missing teeth.
Both dental implants and dental bridges are natural looking ways to restore the appearance and function of your smile, but each of these tooth replacement options has their own pros and cons.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent way to replace a single or multiple missing teeth. The actual implant portion of a dental implant is a tiny titanium rod that is permanently implanted into the jawbone where the roots of the natural tooth would have been. Once dental implants have been surgically placed and given some time to heal, the implant can be capped with a crown, bridge or denture that is colour-matched to blend perfectly with your natural teeth.
Pros
- Dental implants function much like natural teeth and give your smile a natural appearance.
- Dental implants can last 25 years or more with proper care.
Cons
- The dental implant process can take weeks or even months to complete.
- A bone graft is required by some people to strengthen their jawbone before the dental implants can be placed. Bone grafts can take several weeks or months to heal well enough for the dental implant process to begin.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is not a permanent tooth replacement option. A single tooth or multiple teeth can be replaced by a bridge of artificial teeth which is attached to adjacent teeth (or to dental implants) on either side of the gap. Patients who have experienced deterioration in the jaw bones and gums since the natural teeth were lost often find that a dental bridge is an ideal tooth replacement option.
Pros
- Even if jawbone deterioration has occurred, no additional bone or gum grafting surgeries will be required in order to place a dental bridge.
- Getting a dental bridge placed is a much less invasive process than getting dental implants.
Cons
- Teeth adjacent to the bridge may be more susceptible to tooth decay. This is because in order to hold the bridge in place, the supporting teeth must be prepared by removing a large proportion of the enamel.
- Dental bridges are just not as durable as dental implants. You can expect a dental bridge to last between 5-15 years with proper care.