Should You Go With Dental Implants or Bridges in Brampton?

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When you lose a tooth, you need a proper replacement to keep your remaining teeth aligned. In fact, teeth replacement helps maintain the shape of your face and avoid issues related to speaking and eating. The two most popular teeth replacement options are dental implants and bridges. Dental implants are artificial roots of teeth made from titanium. They are placed in the jawbone with multiple screws to keep a dental crown or bridge in place. Dental bridges are false teeth held in place by the teeth surrounding your missing tooth. They are made from materials such as plastic or porcelain to match the colour of your natural teeth. These bridges may cover one or more missing teeth. In this post we compare the benefits and drawbacks of dental bridges and implants. We also discuss the important factors that help you decide which teeth replacement option is right for you. Let’s dive right in.

Dental Bridges or Implants: Which Is the Best Option from Our Brampton Clinic?

Below are the pros and cons of dental bridges and implants that you should be aware of to make the best choice.

Advantages of Dental Implants

They can last for over 10 years and are considered the longest-lasting tooth replacement option.
They help maintain the natural look of your teeth longer than dental bridges.
They do not damage the healthy teeth around the implant.

Drawbacks of Dental Implants

They have a higher upfront cost.
These costs are likely not covered by your insurance.
The whole process may take nearly six months to complete.

Advantages of Dental Bridges

Compared to implants, dental bridges have lower upfront costs.
They do not need bone grafting or other invasive surgery.
Generally, they need only two appointments with the dentist and the process can be completed within two weeks.

Drawbacks of Dental Bridges

They should be replaced every four to six years.
They lose their natural-looking appearance over time.
They may damage teeth near the missing tooth.

How to Choose Between a Dental Implant and a Bridge

Your family dentist in Brampton can help you decide which of these options is best. Your choice will depend on how many teeth you have missing, your budget, and your health as a whole.

How Many Teeth Are Missing?

If you are missing more than two side-by-side teeth then a bridge is a better option than a dental implant. An implant has to be attached to the jawbone through surgery for each missing tooth. This surgery can be expensive and complicated.

Impact of Health

Dental implants call for surgery and are therefore not a great option for those suffering from chronic ailments such as leukemia or diabetes. To have dental implants, you need to be in good health and should also have a jawbone devoid of any decay to support the implant.

Duration of the Procedure

While the whole dental implant process may take several months, the dental bridge may be mounted in two visits spread over two weeks. For the dental implant procedure, the dentist will drill into the jawbone and attach the implant’s root to its bone. They can also insert a denture temporarily while you wait for the bone to heal. Healing takes two to six months. Then a dental crown is added.

Price

This is one of the deciding factors when it comes to choosing a treatment option. Dental implants cost between $900 and $3,000 per implant; a dental bridge costs from $700 to $1,500. These are the pros and cons of dental implants and bridges. Consult your Brampton family dentist and discuss which is best for you. Consider all the key factors to make an informed decision. These include the number of missing teeth, the cost, your overall health, and the duration of the procedure. If you are still struggling to determine which procedure you should choose to replace your missing tooth, contact Dentistry on Dusk. Our award-winning dental clinic in Brampton offers a complete range of dental services, including orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and teeth whitening.

FAQs

What exactly is a dental bridge, and how does it differ from a dental implant?

A dental bridge is a false or fake tooth held in place by the natural teeth surrounding the gap, made from materials like plastic or porcelain to match the colour of your existing teeth. It can cover one or more missing teeth without any surgery. A dental implant, by contrast, is a titanium artificial root surgically placed into the jawbone to support a crown or bridge. The major difference is that bridges rely on surrounding teeth for support, while implants are anchored directly into the bone.

Does the number of missing teeth affect whether I should choose an implant or a bridge?

Yes. The number of missing teeth is one of the most important deciding factors. If you are missing more than two side-by-side teeth, a dental bridge is generally the more practical option. This is because each dental implant must be individually attached to the jawbone through surgery. This makes the process significantly more expensive and complex when multiple teeth are involved. A bridge in such cases offers a more straightforward and efficient solution.

How does overall health affect which tooth replacement option is more suitable?

Your general health plays an important role in determining your eligibility. Dental implants involve surgery and are not recommended for patients suffering from chronic conditions such as leukemia or diabetes, as these can interfere with healing and increase complication risks. A healthy jawbone free from decay is also essential for the implant to be successfully placed. Dental bridges require no bone surgery and are a more suitable alternative for patients whose health makes implant surgery inadvisable.

How do dental bridges and implants compare in terms of how long the procedure takes?

The timeline differs considerably between the two. A dental bridge may be completed in only two dental appointments spread over approximately two weeks—making it a much faster solution. A dental implant, on the other hand, is a lengthier process involving jawbone drilling, implant placement, a healing period of two to six months while the bone fuses with the implant, and finally the fitting of the dental crown. A temporary denture may be worn during the healing phase.

What are the main drawbacks of choosing a dental bridge over an implant?

While dental bridges are faster and less invasive, they come with notable long-term limitations. They typically need to be replaced every four to six years and tend to lose their natural-looking appearance over time. Additionally, fitting a bridge requires altering the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchor points, which can damage those teeth over time. Implants, by contrast, leave surrounding teeth untouched and are considered the longest-lasting tooth replacement option available.