When you have missing teeth, it’s a dreadful time in your life where your self-esteem and function are both compromised. Thankfully, there are solutions to restore you to a state that’s even better than you were. Two of them are dental implants and bridges, but there are certain areas where each presents more benefits. Learn what each of these methods has to offer and how you can regain your full oral usage.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically inserted into your jawbone. The great allure of using this material is that it is biocompatible, which means that over time your bone structure will fuse with it, providing increased durability and stability. These posts act as the roots of your missing teeth and after healing can have crowns, bridges or implant-supported prosthetics attached.
What is a Dental Bridge?
A bridge is a group of fabricated crowns attached as one appliance. This method can be used when you have three or more missing teeth in a row. The process involves removing some of the enamel of the teeth adjacent to the missing ones and then cementing your new bridges to them.
The Two Methods Compared
Here’s how the two types of restorations match up with each other:
- Durability – In this area, implants offer the advantage because they can last up to a lifetime if cared for properly, while bridges have a life expectancy of 10 years.
- Cost – You can plan on paying considerably less for bridges than implants, but again, the life expectancy of each should be kept in mind when contemplating which is the most cost-effective.
- Aesthetics – Ultimately, the look of your application will come down to the skill and proficiency of your dentist. Both processes will restore your smile to a level that will leave you feeling proud to flash your pearly whites.
- Bone Loss – If you have significant bone loss, then dental implants of Worthington may not be the best method. In such a case, a bridge may be the best option because it’s non-invasive and fits on top of your gums.
Why Taking Action is So Important
If you have missing teeth, it’s extremely important that you take action and visit your dentist to determine what will be the best method to move forward with. This is critical because missing teeth can lead to bone degeneration and cause your face to collapse over time, leaving you looking older.
So take a proactive stance and contact your dentist to get on the road to a brand new smile, and regain the way of life that you’ve had to miss out on for so many years.
About the Author
Dr. Randall Nameth received his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy and would later go on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University. Taking over 40 hours of continuing education each year to continue broadening is bank of knowledge, Dr. Nameth provides state-of-the-art care at Randall Nameth DDS and can be reached for more information through his website.