Are you affected by tooth loss and think a strange problem is affecting your mouth? In reality, tooth loss affects 59 percent of adults between 35 to 44, and 25 percent of Americans lose all their adult teeth by 74. Having explained the statistics about tooth loss, we must also provide information on why you must get a proper replacement for the missing teeth to keep your remaining teeth aligned. Replacing your teeth is also essential to maintain and avoid challenges when eating and speaking.
The two most common options for replacing missing teeth are dental bridges and dental implants. Dental bridges are fake teeth held in place by the natural teeth around the missing tooth. Plastic or porcelain helps make dental bridges to match the color of your natural teeth. Dental bridges help replace one or several missing teeth.
Titanium helps make dental implants to function as artificial tooth roots. Dental implants are mounted into your jawbone with screws to hold a dental crown or bridge in place. This article compares the benefits and downsides of dental bridges and implants and looks at the factors to help you determine which option is suitable for you.
Dental implants and bridges both deliver natural-looking results. However, the replacements come with a set of benefits and downsides. Let us look at how these tooth replacement solutions differ:
Dental insurance companies cover dental bridges. Bone grafting or invasive surgery is not required for dental bridge replacements, and the upfront costs for replacing missing teeth with dental bridges are lower than dental implants. You may find this option suitable if you are uncomfortable with dental visits because you only require two appointments with your dentist spanning over a couple of weeks to have your artificial teeth.
Dental bridge problems include requiring replacements every 5 to 7 years, although they can last for over a decade. With age, dental bridges lose their natural-looking appearance. In addition, dental bridges damage the healthy teeth around the missing tooth and make you eligible to tooth decay and cavities in the surrounding teeth compared to implants.
Dental implants can last for 15 years or more and are the most durable option available on the market. Dental implants retain their natural-looking appearance for a lifetime and are standalone options that don’t damage the healthy teeth around the missing tooth. Dental implants are highly successful, with a success rate of about 97 percent.
Insurance coverage is not usually available for dental implants, and the process for getting them requires around six months or more. Dental implants can lead to surgical complications and are available at a higher upfront cost.
The best tooth replacement solution for your situation depends on your budget, how many teeth you have lost, and your overall health. Your dentist can provide appropriate advice on the replacement you can have for your missing teeth.
If you are covered by dental insurance, you will likely receive reimbursement for a dental bridge than an implant. However, if you don’t have dental insurance and both solutions are beyond your price range, you can also discuss other options or partial dentures with your dentist.
Your overall health plays an essential role if you decide in favor of the dental implant procedure. Dental implants are not an option for you if you are affected by medical conditions like diabetes or leukemia, slowing down the healing. However, dental implants are excellent if you are in good overall health and have healthy jawbone free-form decay to support the implant.
If you don’t want to undergo an intensive procedure waiting months before you can have an artificial tooth, you may find a dental bridge a better option for replacing your missing teeth. Dental bridges require merely two visits to your dentist, leaving you free from worrying about dental bridge pain management.
You must endure some pain when getting dental bridges as the dentist prepares the surrounding teeth for bridge placement. However, you receive anesthesia to manage the discomfort leaving you relatively unaware of the grinding and filing of the adjacent teeth.
Dental bridges and implants are two options for replacing missing teeth. Dental bridges will likely receive coverage from a dental insurer and require a more negligible upfront cost. However, if costs aren’t an issue and you are in good overall health, dental implants are the better option because they last longer and don’t damage the neighboring teeth. Discuss the problem with your dentist for help to determine which option is best for your situation.