Is a Dental Implant or Dental Bridge Best for Me?

Losing a tooth can affect your dental health and confidence. Without all of your teeth, it’s harder to speak and eat. Of course, gaps in your smile can also make you feel less secure.

But tooth loss does not have to affect your smile permanently. Modern dentistry includes several restorative dental procedures to replace missing teeth.

Is a dental bridge or a dental implant better for your smile?

Here’s what you need to know.

About Dental Implants

Tooth implants are secured directly into your jawbone. Once the implant fuses with your jaw, the dentist attaches the replacement tooth on top. Dental implants are a secure and durable solution to replace missing teeth.

Benefits

Can last over 15 years with proper care
It’s a natural-looking solution that seamlessly integrates with your smile
No damage to adjacent teeth
High-success rate for long-term tooth replacement

Cons

Not all dental insurance plans cover it
It may require multiple appointments with significant wait time between
Compared to other options, it is more expensive upfront
As an oral surgery, tooth implant installation includes some risk

About Dental Bridges

Dental bridges use neighboring teeth to support the replacement tooth. The dentist shapes and prepares the adjacent teeth to prepare them for the bridge. Then, the dentist will install a tooth crown to hold the bridge. Porcelain or dental-grade plastic are the most common materials used for the tooth bridge.

Benefits

Covered by many dental insurance plans
Cost-effective solution
Can be completed with only two dental visits and a short time between each
Not an oral surgery, so it’s minimally invasive

Cons

Require replacement after 5-7 years
Can undergo wear and tear fairly quickly
May cause damage to the nearby teeth
Increase the risk of tooth decay in the supporting teeth

Which Tooth Replacement Solution is Right for Me?

There’s no definite winner between a tooth bridge and a dental implant. Instead, you must consider your oral health needs and preferences.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What is my dental insurance coverage for dental implants vs dental bridges?
Do I have any medical conditions that may impact healing after oral surgery (diabetes, immune disorders, etc)?
Would you prefer to invest more upfront for a restoration that lasts longer (implants) or pay less for a quicker procedure that may require more frequent replacement (bridges)?
How many teeth are you missing? If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, dentures may actually be better for you.

Visit Us for Dental Implants or Dental Bridges in Weyburn, SK

Our general dental team will help you determine which tooth replacement solution is best for you. Visit Smiles on Souris for a complete assessment and dental care. We offer dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures among our general dental services.

Let’s restore your smile today. Book your consultation at our dental clinic in Weyburn, SK today.