When Are Dental Bridges A Better Choice Than Dental Implants?

In case you are missing one or multiple teeth and don’t want to take your dentures out every night, you might consider more permanent tooth replacement options. Traditional fixed dental bridges are a superior tooth replacement option for certain people than dental implants, which have grown in popularity in recent years.

Discover the distinctions between dental implants and dental bridges, as well as four signs that you could be a better fit for dental bridges instead of dental implants.

Know The Difference Between Dental Bridges & Dental Implants

Dental implants and fixed dental bridges are both used to replace missing teeth. Each tooth replacement option, on the other hand, has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

A dental implant consists of a metal post or screw that is put into the jaw and a crown or pontic that is affixed to the screw. The pontic is designed to seem like a natural tooth. If implanted in a healthy mouth and adequately cared for, dental implants can last up to 40 years.

A fixed dental bridge, on the other side, is made up of several crowns. Crowns are placed on the two healthy teeth adjacent to the missing tooth or teeth. These crowns are then attached to one or more dental crowns that serve as replacements for the missing teeth. Unlike a dental implant, a dental bridge does not require surgery to install. Dental bridges can endure up to 20 years or more if properly cared for.

When To Choose Dental Bridges Over Dental Implants?

After learning the distinctions between dental implants and fixed dental bridges, you may be thinking if a dental bridge is a better option than a dental implant, despite the fact that the dental bridge may not last as long. Continue reading to discover four reasons why a dental bridge is preferable to a dental implant.

• Dental implants placed in people suffering from diabetes have a higher failure rate than implants placed in healthy individuals. Implant failure is caused by two factors: slow wound healing and an increased risk of wound infection in diabetics. As a result, in such instances, dental bridges can be a good option.
• If you have dental problems, you\’ll need to work hard to improve your gum health before obtaining a dental implant. Bacteria thrive in infected gums, leading to peri-implantitis, a severe infection around dental implants. This infection can soon lead to implant failure.

Gum disease is a problem for certain people. As a result, a dental bridge is a better option for them than an implant. Since dental bridges are not implanted into the gum tissue, they are less prone to be harmed by gum disease.

• Around 20% of all dental implants placed in smokers are unsuccessful. As cigarette smoking inhibits blood flow to the gums, surgical site healing following dental implant placement may be delayed. Smoking is unlikely to impair the integrity of dental bridges because there are no incisions to heal.
• Several drugs, when used on a daily basis, can increase the risk of dental implant failure. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for heartburn, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression and anxiety, and bisphosphonate for osteoporosis all have a greater likelihood of implant failure. While you might be able to have a dental implant if you use one of these medications, you may want to seek a dental bridge instead if you take more than one.

If you are missing one or more teeth and want a more permanent tooth replacement option than dentures, use this information to evaluate if dental implants or dental bridges are a better option for you. Your dentist will perform a full dental checkup and study oral x-rays of your mouth before making a final decision about tooth replacement. Call a dental practice near you right now to schedule an oral examination and tooth replacement consultation. Book an appointment with My Dentist For Life if you are either looking for a dental bridge or dental implant treatment in Plantation, FL, and nearby.