If you have nothing but space where you used to have a tooth, taking action soon is important. Missing teeth can cause a lot more problems than just embarrassment. Gum disease, decay, and loss of bone in the jaw area are just a few of those. There are several choices in many price ranges for filling in that gap. When it comes to fixes that are not removable like a partial denture might be, patients can choose between dental implants and bridges. Read on for a comparison between implants and bridges.
Dental Implants: Natural and Easy to Care for
This manner of filling a space has become wildly popular for good reasons. Once surgically implanted, they look and feel like natural teeth and require little care beyond that of natural teeth. Although surgery and several appointments are required, the long-lasting and worry-free features make dental implants a standout option for many.
Implants consist of a titanium post implanted into the gums and topped with a section that mimics a tooth. While many people have implants and love them, not everyone is a good candidate. If you have weak bones in your jaw, you may have to have bone grafts before the procedure can begin. Unfortunately, this is a separate outpatient procedure and the incisions from it take time to heal. The implant process may take several months when a bone graft is involved.
Bridges: Less Expensive and Quicker
Bridges have been around a lot longer than implants and tend to cost less. The process is entirely non-invasive with a false tooth being suspended between two natural teeth using wires. The natural teeth on either side of the false tooth are shored-up by covering them with crowns. Some bridge wearers may need to take extra care in making sure the spaces around the bridge are clean.
In some cases, the wires on a bridge may be visible if on the front teeth. Other than that, though, the appearance of a false tooth in a bridge is no different than that of an implant. While dental implants take several months to be completed, bridges can be complete in as little as a few weeks. The dentist will make a mold for the false tooth, and it will be colored to match the surrounding teeth.
Care Is Similar
To take care of implants or bridges, the advice is similar.
Discuss these options with a cosmetic dentist to find out more about cost, time, care, and other aspects of both implants and bridges.
Share23 March 2020
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.