Making confident and informed decisions is crucial when restoring your smile. A major choice after tooth loss is between dental implants and dental bridges.
Today we’re exploring these two popular long-term solutions, discussing what they are, how they work, and their relative benefits, so that, if necessary, you’ll be better prepared to choose the one that best suits your needs.
What Are Dental Implants and How Do They Work?
Dental implants are widely considered the most effective tooth replacement solution. Dental implants are tiny titanium pegs placed in the jaw after tooth loss to replace the function of natural roots. Following its minimally invasive surgical placement into a vacant jawbone socket, over a few months an implant fuses permanently with the bone in a process called "osseointegration," after which it serves as a natural-feeling artificial tooth root and a foundation for a long-term dental restoration like a dental crown or bridge.
The Biggest Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are widely considered the premier tooth loss solution. Here’s why:
- Unlike other solutions like dentures, implants are stably fixed in place. As a result, they fully restore natural oral functions, allowing recipients to confidently smile, speak, bite, and chew without restriction.
- Implant placement doesn’t require the alteration of any adjacent healthy teeth.
- Implants provide stimulation that fends off the loss of jawbone density that often accompanies tooth loss and can affect facial structure.
- According to research (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774056/#:~:text=A%20dental%20implant%20is%20a,implants%20over%20the%2010%20years.), 95% of implants last at least 10 years, and some, with proper care, can last a lifetime!
Dental Bridges: What Are They and What Makes Them Effective?
Dental bridges, meanwhile, are prosthetics that use teeth and gum tissues to “bridge gaps” created by tooth loss. Bridges are anchored to natural teeth or dental implants adjacent to the spot in the patient’s mouth vacated by tooth loss. Like implants, bridges offer myriad benefits to individuals who’ve suffered tooth loss. The biggest among them include:
- Dental bridges restore aesthetics and full oral function by seamlessly filling in gaps created by tooth loss.
- Bridges’ restoration of biting, chewing, and speaking functions can significantly boost self-confidence in social and professional settings.
- Bridges help maintain proper dental alignment by preventing shifting and overcrowding among remaining teeth.
Dental Implants and Bridges: Making the Right Choice for Your Smile
Ultimately, the decision between dental bridges and implants depends on various factors, including preexisting oral health and a patient’s budget. Of course, if you’re considering these (or any other) tooth replacement options, make sure to consult with a qualified dentist for a personal evaluation.
Precisely Placing Dental Implants and Dental Bridges in Winter Springs, FL
If you’re in Winter Springs and want to learn more about the benefits of dental implants and bridges and determine which tooth loss solution is right for you, contact Dr. Christopher Young and the friendly and knowledgeable team at Advanced Dental Care to schedule a consultation!