What’s Better: A Dental Implant or a Bridge?

Are you missing a tooth and finding it confusing to decide between getting a dental implant or a bridge? You've come to the right place. At Khanani Family Dental, we understand how complex such a decision can be and want to ensure that you make an informed choice.

Below is everything you need to know about dental implants and bridges.

What Is an Implant? What Is a Bridge?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is inserted into your jawbone to replace a missing tooth. It secures your new replacement tooth in place, making it look and feel just like your natural teeth.

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge, on the other hand, is used to fill in gaps caused by missing teeth. It consists of two crowns that are attached to artificial teeth (called pontics) which “bridge” the gap between them.

How Do Dental Implants Work? 

Dental implants are made up of three parts: the titanium post, abutment (connector), and crown (artificial tooth). The titanium post is surgically placed into your jawbone to act as a root for the new tooth.

Once you’ve healed from the dental implant surgery, your crown is attached to the post via the abutment. Crowns are made to look and feel just like a natural tooth, so your smile and bite will be seamless. 

How Do Dental Bridges Work?

A bridge works similarly to a dental implant in that they both replace a missing tooth, but the process for getting a bridge is much different. The teeth on either side of the gap created by missing tooth or teeth are prepared to have dental crowns placed. When the dental crown restoration is created, a pontic (an artificial tooth) is placed between the crowns to literally “bridge” the gap. 

Bridges are also made to look and feel like natural teeth for a seamless smile. 

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Dental implants have many benefits, including:

• Natural look and feel
• Do not rely on adjacent teeth for support 
• Permanent solution that does not need to be removed for cleaning
• Long-term solution for missing teeth
  

However, dental implants also have some downsides:

• More expensive than bridges
• Require a surgical procedure
• Can take several months to heal

Pros and Cons of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges, have some benefits, including:

• Less expensive than dental implants
• Can be completed in just a few visits
• Don’t require surgery
  

And of course, dental bridges have a few downsides as well:

• Less natural feel compared to implants
• May not last as long as implants
• Do not preserve the jawbone
• Can put additional stress on the natural teeth that support them
  

Which Is Right for You? 

The best way to determine what is right for you is to consult with your dentist regarding your individual situation in order to select the best solution that meets your needs both now and in the future.

Your dentist will assess your mouth before making any recommendations regarding treatment options such as deciding whether you need an implant or a bridge based upon factors such as tooth loss severity, number of missing teeth, oral health status (gum disease), bone volume/density, etc.

They’ll also discuss possible risks associated with each option so that you have all of the information necessary before deciding how you want to proceed with treatment.

Schedule an Appointment with Khanani Family Dental!

Whether you're leaning towards a dental implant or a bridge, Dr. Salman Khanani and the team at Khanani Family Dental will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. Get in touch today. We'll guide you through every step of the process ensuring that you receive optimal results while also taking into consideration all your concerns along the way. Schedule your appointment today!