When it comes to replacing missing teeth, there are two main options available: dental implants and dental bridges. Each method has its unique advantages and can be suitable for different scenarios. This blog post will delve into the differences between dental implants and dental bridges, focusing particularly on why dental implants might be a preferable choice of tooth replacement options for many.
Understanding Dental Implants and Dental Bridges
Before we compare dental implants vs dental bridges, it’s essential to understand what each entails.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over a few months. Dental implant surgery involves replacing missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like natural teeth.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge, on the other hand, is a structure comprised of two or more dental crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap – these two or more anchoring teeth are known as abutment teeth – and false replacement tooth\teeth in between.
Dental Implants vs Bridge: The Advantages of Dental Implants
While both dental implants and bridges are effective options to replace missing teeth, implants offer several distinct advantages:
1. Longevity: Dental implants, made typically from titanium, integrate with the jaw bone, making them a permanent solution. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
2. Bone Health: Implants preserve natural bone and stimulate bone growth, preventing bone loss.
3. Aesthetics and Functionality: Implants look and feel like your natural teeth, and because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
4. Oral Health: Unlike a dental bridge, implants do not require reducing other teeth. More of your natural teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health.
5. Convenience: Dental implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures and the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.
6. Predictability: Dental implant surgery has a track record of reliable, long-term successful outcomes.
7. No Dependence on Adjacent Teeth: Implants do not rely on adjacent existing teeth for support, which means your existing healthy teeth are not altered or compromised.
Comparing Dental Implants and Dental Bridges
While we have highlighted the benefits of dental implants, it’s important to compare them directly with dental bridges:
1. Procedure and Recovery: Dental implant surgery is more invasive and requires a longer recovery time compared to the dental bridge procedure. However, the long-term benefits and lower risk of complications make it a worthwhile investment.
2. Impact on Surrounding Teeth: Dental bridges rely on adjacent teeth for support. Over time, these teeth can suffer from wear, leading to potential problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Dental implants, unlike bridges, do not affect the health of surrounding teeth.
3. Maintenance and Care: Dental implants require the same care as natural teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. Dental bridges, while also needing regular care, may require replacement every 5 to 15 years, unlike tooth implants themselves, which can last a lifetime.
4. Cost Effectiveness: Initially, dental implants may appear more expensive than bridges. However, considering their durability and the fact they don’t need to be replaced as often, implants can be more cost-effective in the long run.
The Dental Implant Procedure: A Detailed Look
Dental implant surgery is a multi-step process that offers a permanent solution for missing teeth. Let’s delve deeper into each stage of the dental implant procedure:
Initial Consultation and Planning
- Comprehensive Dental Exam: The process starts with a thorough dental examination, including X-rays and possibly 3D images, to assess the health of your jawbone and the position of your teeth.
- Treatment Planning: Depending on the condition of your oral tissues, oral hygiene, and personal habits, a treatment plan tailored to your needs is developed.
Preparatory Procedures
- Bone Grafting (if necessary): If your jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft, you might require bone grafting before you can have dental implant surgery. This is because the powerful chewing action of your mouth exerts great pressure on your bone, and if it can’t support the implant, the surgery likely would fail. Bone grafting can take several months to grow enough new bone to support a dental implant.
Implant Placement
- Surgical Procedure: Under local anaesthesia, the dentist makes a cut to open the gum and expose the bone. Holes are drilled into the bone where the dental implant metal post will be placed. Since the post will serve as the missing tooth root, it is implanted deep into the bone.
- Healing and Bone Integration (Osseointegration): After the metal implant post is placed in your jawbone, osseointegration begins. During this process, the jawbone grows into and unites with the surface of the dental implant. This can take several months and helps provide a solid base for your new artificial tooth — just as roots do for your natural teeth.
Placing the Abutment
- Additional Surgery: Once osseointegration is complete, you might need additional surgery to place the abutment — the piece where the crown will eventually attach. This minor surgery is typically done with local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting.
- Abutment Placement: To place the abutment, the dentist reopens your gum to expose the dental implant. The abutment is attached to the dental implant, and then the gum tissue is closed around, but not over, the abutment.
- Healing Time: After the abutment is placed, your gums must heal for about two weeks before the artificial tooth can be attached.
Choosing and Placing the Artificial Teeth
- Selecting Your New Teeth: Once your gums heal, more impressions of your mouth and remaining teeth are made. These impressions are used to make the crown — your realistic-looking artificial tooth. The crown can’t be placed until your jawbone is strong enough to support the use of the new tooth.
- Permanent vs. Removable: You and your dentist can choose either a removable implant (similar to a conventional removable denture containing artificial white teeth surrounded by pink plastic gum) or a fixed implant (permanent and not removed for cleaning or during sleep).
Aftercare
- Post-Surgical Care: After each stage of surgery, you may need to eat soft foods. Typically, your dentist will use stitches that dissolve on their own. If your stitches aren’t self-dissolving, your doctor removes them.
- Long-Term Care: Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups.
Who Can Get Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a versatile and effective solution for many, but they are not suitable for everyone. The ideal candidate for dental implants should meet several criteria:
- Good Overall Health: The process involves surgery, so general good health is required. This includes healthy gums and sufficient bone density to support the implants. Patients with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or heart disease, may need to undergo additional evaluations to determine if implants are safe for them.
- Adequate Bone Density: A key factor for implant success is the quality and quantity of the jawbone where the implant will be placed. For those who have experienced bone loss (a common occurrence with tooth loss), bone grafting may be necessary before proceeding with implants.
- Healthy Gums: Since implants fuse to your jawbone, healthy gums are crucial. People suffering from gum disease or periodontitis may require treatment to improve their gum health before they can be considered for implants.
- Non-Smokers or Willing to Quit: Smoking can impede healing in the mouth and reduce the chances of a successful implant. It’s often advised that patients quit smoking before undergoing the implant procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
1. How Painful is Getting Dental Implants?
While the idea of dental surgery may seem daunting, most patients report that the procedure is less painful than they expected. Local anaesthesia is used during the surgery, which makes the process minimally painful. Post-surgery, there may be some discomfort, but this can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
2. How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution for tooth loss and can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. The crown attached to the implant may need to be replaced due to wear and tear, typically every 10 to 15 years.
Conclusion
In the debate of dental implants vs bridge, it’s clear that while both have their place in dental treatment, implants offer several advantages, especially in terms of longevity, oral health, and overall functionality. It’s important to consult with an appropriately qualified health practitioner to determine the best option for your individual needs.
Contact us now to schedule a consultation and see if dental implants are the right choice for you. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing personalised and comprehensive care to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Don’t let missing teeth hold you back any longer – let us help restore your confidence and oral health with dental implants.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/implant-vs-bridge
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dental-bridge-vs-implant