At Surdel Dental Centre in Delta BC, our dentists offer both dental implants and dental bridges to replace multiple missing teeth. If you're deciding which of these options is best for you, here are a few of the pros and cons to consider.
Both dental bridges or dental implants are great solutions for replacing missing, side-by-side teeth. Each of these options offer a natural looking way to restore the appearance and function of your smile, but all tooth replacement options have pros and cons. Here is what you should know about dental implants and dental bridges before making your decision on which is best for you.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent way to replace a single or multiple missing teeth. The implant portion of a dental implant is a tiny titanium rod which is permanently implanted into the jawbone where the roots of the natural tooth once were. After dental implants have been surgically placed and given some time to heal, the implant can be topped with a crown, bridge or denture that is colour-matched to blend perfectly with your remaining natural teeth.
Pros
Dental implants are a permanent solution to replacing your missing teeth. These artificial teeth function much like real teeth and give your smile a very natural appearance. With proper care, your dental implants could last 25 years or longer.
Cons
When considering dental implants it's important to understand that the process of having them placed can be long, taking weeks or even months to complete. In some cases a bone graft will be required to strengthen your jawbone before the dental implants can be placed. Bone grafts can take several weeks or months to heal well enough for the dental implant process to begin.
Dental Bridges
A 'bridge' of artificial teeth attached to adjacent teeth (or to dental implants) on either side of the gap, can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. If you have experienced deterioration of your jaw bones and gums since the natural teeth were lost, a dental bridge may be a better tooth replacement option for you than dental implants.
Pros
Even if you have experienced substantial jawbone deterioration, no additional bone or gum grafting surgeries are likely to be required in order to place a dental bridge. Having a dental bridge placed is a much less invasive process than getting dental implants placed, and can be considerably faster.
Cons
Teeth adjacent to the bridge may become more susceptible to tooth decay because the supporting teeth must be prepared by removing a large proportion of the enamel. Typically, a dental bridge is just not as durable as dental implants. When cared for properly, you can expect your dental bridge to last between 5-15 years.