If you’ve lost a tooth as an adult, it can feel like an urgent issue. A missing tooth affects your smile’s aesthetics and can influence your speech, eating ability, and facial appearance. It may even lead to gum disease along with tissue and bone loss.
As you consider ways to address tooth loss, you’ll likely encounter the choice between dental implants vs bridges.
While both dental implants and bridges offer similar outcomes, they differ significantly in their technical approaches. Understanding the details of dental implants vs. bridges is crucial if you seek the best solution for replacing missing teeth.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant features a titanium post that replaces the tooth root and supports a crown. This post is surgically inserted into the jawbone, where it gradually fuses with the bone through osseointegration, which usually takes 3-6 months.
Once the integration is complete, an abutment is attached to the post, extending above the gum line. The abutment provides a base for attaching the dental crown, which is either cemented or screwed into place.
Pros & Cons of Dental Implants
Pros
- Easier to maintain than dental bridges
- It does not require altering adjacent teeth
- It can usually last a lifetime with proper care due to its high durability
- Better resembles the look and feel of natural teeth compared to bridges
Cons
- Typically more expensive than bridges
- Less likely to be covered by insurance compared to bridges
- Requires a significantly longer procedure that occurs in stages over several months
- It involves a potentially lengthy healing period following the initial implant procedure
What are Bridges?
Dental bridges are created to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth. Natural teeth or implants support them on either side of the gap.
The bridge consists of two or more crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap, known as abutment teeth, with the false teeth in between referred to as pontics.
Pros & Cons of Bridges
Pros
- It does not involve invasive surgery or bone healing
- It can be completed much faster, usually within one to three weeks
- Generally more affordable than implants
- Likelier to be covered by insurance compared to implants
Cons
- It can cause problems such as cavities or fractures in the teeth adjacent to the bridge due to the stress they endure.
- Difficulties with cleaning under and around the bridge can increase the risk of gum disease or tooth decay.
- It has a limited lifespan, generally five to 15 years because it is attached to natural teeth.
- It does not address underlying structural issues, meaning problems like bone loss can continue.
The Cost of Dental Implants vs Bridges
Cost often plays a key role in choosing a treatment option, and this factor can be important when considering dental implants vs. bridges.
Dental implants are among the more pricier dental treatments, ranging from $900 to $3,000 per implant. In contrast, a dental bridge typically costs less, between $700 and $1,500. Again, these costs do not include additional treatments or therapies that might be needed beforehand.
Given that dental implants have stricter eligibility criteria, a longer procedure time, and a higher cost, you might wonder why someone would choose implants over bridges. The answer is durability.
While a dental bridge generally lasts between 10 and 20 years before needing replacement, a well-maintained implant can last 40 years or more.
Thus, although implants may involve higher initial costs and time investment, they could ultimately save you both in the long run.
Other Factors to Consider for Dental Implants vs. Bridges
Insurance Coverage
It’s important to recognize that many insurance companies view dental implants and dental bridges as premium, high-cost treatments. However, due to the significant cost difference, most insurance providers are more inclined to cover the expense of a bridge rather than an implant.
Number of Missing Teeth
If you are missing more than one tooth in a row, your dentist will likely recommend a bridge when considering dental implants vs bridges. It can be impractical to install a separate implant for each tooth when numerous teeth are missing.
Overall Health
Dental implant surgery is fairly invasive and is unlikely to be an option for people struggling with systemic diseases or health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, or leukemia.
Treatment Time
The treatment time for dental implants vs. bridges is significantly different. Implant treatments can take months, whereas dental bridge installments can be completed in about two appointments.
What Should You Choose in Dental Implants vs. Bridges?
The decision between a dental implant and a dental bridge depends on individual circumstances and budget. A dental implant may be beyond a patient’s financial means in some cases, or it may not be suitable due to insufficient bone density or the location of the missing tooth. If achieving a “natural appearance” is a priority, an implant might be the better choice.
To make a well-informed decision, discussing it with our dental team is essential. Our experienced dentists will thoroughly evaluate your health condition and tell you which option will be more effective.
Takeaway
The best way to determine the proper treatment for your missing tooth is to discuss your options with your dentist. Your trusted dentist can assess your situation’s specific aspects to make the most suitable recommendation for you.
Diamond Dental’s experienced dentists in Mt. Vernon, WA, can help you address missing teeth and create a personalized treatment plan.
Schedule an appointment with our qualified dentists today and find out which is better for you in dental implants vs. bridges.
