What Is the Difference Between Teeth Implants and Dental Bridges?

What Is the Difference Between Teeth Implants and Dental Bridges?

September 1, 2022

When you have missing teeth, you have two options for replacing them; dental implants and bridges. Implants and bridges are classified as restorative and cosmetic dentistry, and they both have their unique benefits and drawbacks. For instance, dental implants are titanium posts surgically implanted into the jawbone, while bridges are artificial teeth fixed to two dental crowns, which are then bonded to the adjacent teeth.

Consult a dentist near you before choosing any of these treatments.

What Are Dental Implants?

Implants are tooth-shaped titanium posts surgically implanted into the jawbone and act as replacement tooth roots.

Dental implants near you have a few advantages, as they look like your natural teeth. They are also very secure and can last many years with proper care.

What are Dental Bridges?

A tooth bridge comprises two or more crowns attached to the two teeth on the adjacent side of the missing tooth.

These restorations are a great option for people who are missing one or more teeth, as they can help to restore the function and appearance of your smile. They are also a more affordable option than dental implants. They are a less invasive option for missing teeth, as they don’t require surgery to insert the implant.

What is the Distinction Between Bridges and Implants?

  1. Design

Teeth implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone, and over time they fuse with the bone, meaning they offer a permanent. Implants come in different types like endosteal, subperiosteal, mini implants, and all-on-4 designed to address a specific dental problem.

Dental bridges are also not removable but need a replacement after a few. They are a dental restoration option that uses two dental crowns fused to a false tooth, or pontic, in the middle. The pontic is placed on either side of the missing tooth and bridges the gap.

Teeth bridges come in traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported bridges.

  1. Placement

Dental implants are placed in the jawbone. Unlike dental bridges, they don’t rely on the neighboring teeth for support. This makes them a better option, providing a more secure and long-lasting solution.

Dental implants have three parts: the implant, the abutment, and the crown. The metal post is placed in the jawbone, and the abutment is attached. The crown is then attached to the abutment, creating a new tooth.

Dental implants are placed on the gum line and only ‘bridge’ the gap. They require support from the adjacent teeth, and therefore, you need to have healthy teeth for them to be fixed.

  1. Procedure
  • The procedure of Dental Bridges

The teeth bridge procedure is straightforward and requires several sessions (often spread over two or three dental sessions). Our dentist in Palm Harbor will reshape the supporting teeth to create room for the crowns. He will take a cast or mold of your teeth using a putty or a 3D digital scanner to create the permanent dental crowns. A dental lab will make a false tooth that matches your mouth’s dimensions and shape. The dentist will then attach it to two dental crowns using cement, metal clasps, or screws.

  • Dental Implant Procedure

A Teeth implant procedure is a type of surgery that can be done to replace missing teeth. The implant procedure takes a couple of dental visits spread across several months.

Unlike dental bridges, you require a recovery period in which the gums heal, and the implant fuses to the bone. Osseointegration is an important step because the implant procedure will fail without it. You may often feel gum soreness, swelling, and bleeding after the implant placement procedure. These problems tend to clear within a few days, but you should visit a dentist’s office near you for assessment.

Final Thoughts

It is important to note that teeth implants can stop bone loss effectively. However, the bridges are not as effective in slowing bone deterioration because they are placed above the gap.

Visit Palm Harbor Smiles for more information about dental bridges and implants and what you can expect during their procedures.

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