When you’re missing teeth, you can choose between two main options: dental bridges or dental implants. Both can make you smile whole again, help you chew and talk better, and boost your confidence. However, each choice has its sound and not-so-good points, so it’s essential to think about them before making a decision.
Understand the main differences between a bridge and an implant, their pros and cons, costs, and other essentials to help you choose the right dental option.
Getting to Know a Dental Bridge and Implant
A dental bridge replaces lost teeth by building a bridge over the gap. It’s made of a false tooth (or teeth) held in place by crowns attached to the teeth next to the gap. The bridge helps you smile and chew again by making it look like real teeth.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are like tiny titanium screws that are put into your jawbone to replace the root of a broken tooth. After it’s fused with the jawbone, a fake tooth, like a crown, is attached to it. Dental implants work and look just like real teeth, and they can stop your jawbone from getting weaker.
Pros & Cons of Bridge and Implant
Dental implants and bridges come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Dental Bridges
- Affordability: Bridges are usually more cost-effective than dental implants, especially for replacing multiple missing teeth.
- Restoration of Function: Bridges can help you chew and speak normally again by filling in the space left by lost teeth.
- Natural Appearance: Bridges can now look and feel like real teeth thanks to new materials and methods.
- Less Invasive: The process of getting a bridge is generally less invasive than implant surgery, making it a good option for those who cannot or prefer not to undergo surgery.
Cons of Dental Bridges
- Potential Damage to Adjacent Teeth: The teeth next to the bridge have to be cut down to support them, which can weaken them over time.
- Limited Durability: Bridges last between 5 and 15 years before they need to be fixed or rebuilt.
- Lack of Bone Preservation: Bridges don’t move the jawbone, but implants do. Over time, this can lead to bone loss and more tooth loss.
Pros of Dental Implants
- Long-Lasting Solution: To keep your implants for life, you need to take good care of them. Because of this, they last a long time and don’t cost much.
- Preservation of Jawbone Health: Implants stimulate the jawbone, stopping bone loss and keeping your face’s natural shape.
- Natural Look and Feel: Implants are made to look and work like real teeth, so they are a comfortable and natural option.
- Improved Oral Hygiene: Implants are easier to clean and take care of than bridges, which lowers the risk of gum disease and tooth damage.
Cons of Dental Implants
- Higher Initial Cost: Dental implants are generally more expensive than bridges, especially when multiple implants are needed.
- Longer Treatment Time: It may take a few months to get an implant because the jawbone needs time to heal and bond with the implant.
- Surgical Procedure Required: Implant placement involves surgery, which may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions or who are not good candidates for surgery.
- Potential Complications: Like any surgery, there is a risk of complications such as infection, nerve damage, or implant failure, although these risks are relatively low with proper care.
Bridge vs. Implant: Cost Considerations
The cost of a dental bridge or implant can vary based on several factors, including the number of missing teeth and the materials used. On average, a single-tooth dental implant can cost between $3,000 and $7,000, while a dental bridge may range from $1,000 to $2,500 per tooth.
Also, when comparing the cost of bridges and implants, there are a few things to think about:
- Initial Cost: Bridges are usually cheaper than implants. A bridge can cost between $500 and $1,200 per tooth, while implants can cost between $3,000 and $6,000 per tooth.
- Maintenance and Longevity: Bridges might be cheaper at first, but they often need replacing more often than implants. Implants can last a lifetime if you take care of them, which could make them valuable in the long run.
- Additional Procedures: Depending on your situation, you might need extra treatments like bone grafts or gum surgery, which can increase the overall cost of either option.
- Insurance Coverage: Some dental plans might help pay for bridges or implants, but others might not cover them at all. Talk to your insurance company about what they’ll pay for and how much you might have to pay yourself.
Implant vs. Bridge: Factors to Consider
When choosing between a dental implant and a bridge, think about these things:
- Health of Nearby Teeth: Implants don’t affect nearby teeth, but bridges need them to support the bridge. If your nearby teeth are healthy, you might prefer an implant.
- Bone Health: Implants can keep your jawbone healthy by stimulating it, which bridges don’t do. Bridges can sometimes lead to bone loss.
- How Long They Last: Implants can last a lifetime if you take care of them, while bridges usually last 5 to 15 years before needing to be replaced.
- Looks: Implants look and feel more natural than bridges, especially if the bridge is made of metal.
- Cost: Implants are usually more expensive upfront, but bridges might need to be replaced more often, which can add up over time.
- Procedure Complexity: Implants need surgery and time to heal, while bridges are less invasive and faster to put in.
- Maintenance: Implants are easier to clean than bridges, which need special tools to keep clean underneath the false tooth.
Which is better? A Bridge or Implant?
Both dental bridges and implants offer effective solutions for replacing missing teeth. Your dentist can help you determine the best option based on your oral health, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining the longevity of whichever option you choose.