Dental Bridges Vs Implants

Posted on 8/15/2017 by Dr. Franco

Missing teeth are a serious oral health issue. Even one missing tooth can have a serious impact. At Bite Lock, you have options for replacing lost teeth. For a small number of missing teeth, we offer dental bridges and implants.

What is a Dental Bridge?

A bridge is a prosthetic device used to replace one to three missing teeth. It is typically made from ceramic and consists of your replacement tooth (or teeth) set between two crowns. The crowns anchor on to your adjacent healthy teeth, holding the bridge in place.

Bridges usually require two visits for placement. During your first visit, your adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) are prepared. This process involves the trimming, or removal, of the enamel of these teeth, which will help to make room for your new restoration. It is done under a local anesthetic. Once the teeth are prepared, impressions are then taken and sent off to the lab, where the bridge is designed and fabricated. When the bridge is ready, it is checked for fit and then cemented into place.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Dental Bridges

Benefits of bridges include:

•	The procedure is simple.
•	It only takes two visits.
•	Bridges are an affordable option.

Drawbacks of bridges include:

•	They require the removal of enamel from perfectly healthy teeth.
•	Bridges cannot stop bone loss in your jaw, and therefore will need periodic replacement as your bone weakens.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small titanium rods that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. As you heal, your bone fuses to the implants, turning them into a strong, stable support for your new teeth. Implants can replace any number of missing teeth, from as little as one to as many as all.

The procedure for implants is more complex than dental implants. We start by numbing the surgical sites with a local anesthetic. Incisions are made in the gum tissue, and the necessary holes are drilled into the bone. The implants are then set in place, and your gums stitched closed around them. Temporary teeth are given while you heal.

It can take several weeks to several months to heal, depending on the number of implants placed. Once you have healed, impressions are taken to design and fabricate your permanent teeth.

Benefits and Drawback of Implants

There are several benefits to dental implants:

•	They look completely natural.
•	They do not require any enamel removal from adjacent teeth.
•	They do not rely on other teeth for support (your teeth are supported by the implants).
•	Implants protect the integrity of your jawbone, providing a permanent solution.

Despite their many benefits, implants do also have a few drawbacks:

•	They require a surgical procedure.
•	There is a lengthy recovery period, during which regular visits are required to monitor progress.
•	They require enough bone mass in the jaw for osseointegration.
•	Implants are more expensive than dental bridges.

Bridges and implants both offer a way to replace missing teeth that restores the functions of your mouth and your smile. If you are missing teeth, even just one, call Bite Lock today at (972) 594-7414 to find out which option is right for you.

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Bite Lock Teeth in a Day by Dr. Pedro F. Franco - Dallas, TX

PEDRO F. FRANCO, DDS

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