Dental Bridges or Implants: Which Is Best for Me?

Did you know that barely half of adults aged 20-64 have all their natural teeth? If you’re among those embarrassed by a missing tooth, you’ll be encouraged to know that you have two exceptional choices for restoring your beautiful smile: dental bridges and implants.

Our Fremaux Dental Care team explains your dental options and helps you make a decision that’s best for your dental needs and works for your personal preferences.

You can get a head start by reading this blog and learning about dental bridges and implants. Both are good choices that share some similarities. They also have differences that may sway your decision.

Dental needs make a difference

Bridges and implants share the same purpose: They replace missing teeth. However, the number of missing teeth and their location in your mouth dictates which prosthetic might be best.

Bridges

A bridge is a single prosthesis that replaces one to several teeth. Since a bridge replaces multiple teeth with one piece, all the missing teeth must be next to one another.

A traditional bridge is anchored on both sides by your remaining healthy teeth, limiting the number of teeth one bridge can replace. But you have an option.

We can anchor a bridge using dental implants, allowing the bridge to replace as many as three or four adjacent teeth.

Implants

A dental implant represents a single tooth. The implant is a small post that replaces the tooth root. Then, we secure a crown to the post.

You can use implants to replace one or many teeth anywhere in your mouth. You could also replace all your teeth with individual implants — if your jawbone is strong enough to support the implanted posts.

Jawbone health may be an issue if you had (or currently have) gum disease or a tooth infection (abscess) that eroded the bone. Osteoporosis is another concern because it weakens the jawbone. We can often solve this problem with a bone graft to strengthen the jaw.

Quality is comparable

Dental bridges and implants are both made of high-quality materials. No matter which one you choose, you can be sure it will match your natural teeth, look beautiful, and be strong enough to withstand biting and chewing.

Procedure and time frame vary

The process of getting a bridge or implant affects the time it takes to restore your smile.

Bridges

Getting a bridge requires two office visits and takes two weeks. At the first visit, we examine your teeth, prepare the teeth that will hold the bridge, take an impression of your mouth, and send the impression to the dental lab.

The technicians make the bridge in about two weeks. When it’s ready, we schedule your second visit and place the permanent bridge in your mouth.

Implants

If you want an implant, you’ll need to have surgery to insert the posts. We do the surgery on your first visit. Then, you wait at least a few months for the tissues to heal. 

It also takes time for the jawbone to grow and bond with the implant. We can’t rush this part of the process because melding with the bone firmly holds the implant in place.

After the tissues heal, you return so we can take an impression of your mouth. The impression is then sent to the lab to produce the crown. Your final visit occurs when we attach the new crown to the implant.

Upfront costs differ

An implant costs significantly more than a bridge. However, if your budget can manage the higher upfront costs of implants, your investment may pay off over time because implants generally last longer than bridges.

Don’t hesitate to talk with us if you’re worried about the cost of a bridge or implant. We file insurance for most dental plans and offer financing through CareCredit.

Call Fremaux Dental Care today or connect online to request a consultation to review your dental needs and discuss your options.