Do you suffer from cracked, missing or broken teeth? Are you unsure whether you should invest in dental implants, a bridge or dentures? Let’s compare all 3 in terms of look, hygiene (care), longevity and cost.
Look
Unlike dentures and bridges, dental implants may provide you the most realistic result since they look and feel just like normal teeth. You can leave the office with temporary tooth (teeth) until your dental implant is ready to be placed. Your dental surgeon may also regenerate bone in your jaw to ensure your implant is secure and your facial aesthetics/jaw shape stay intact, unlike dentures which can slip and look unnatural or a bridge which doesn’t attend to the underlying tooth issue or loss of bone. (Also, note that a single dental implant can be placed if necessary, unlike a bridge or dentures which rely on the support of other teeth)
Hygiene
Dental implants may involve one or more teeth, but they are placed in the jaw bone allowing you to brush and floss like normal. Bridges connect 3 teeth making it more difficult to keep your oral hygiene in check. They require meticulous care. Dentures also require a lot of attention, such as soaking and careful attention to cleaning.
Longevity
Your teeth directly affect your overall health, in turn, it is important to treat them as such. Dental implants are costly, but also an investment– when well-taken care of they can last a lifetime. Dental implants allow the dental surgeon to get to the “root” of the problem–literally. “The implant’s metal cylinder is normally made of titanium, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), and this material fuses with your jawbone naturally through a process called osseointegration. Because it’s made of such a strong metal, they are very resistant to decay and gum problems.” 1 Your dental surgeon is able to clear out infection, regenerate bone if necessary, while enhancing your health and appearance. Unlike dental implants, bridges leave a portion of the natural tooth below, in turn, you are still susceptible to infection or gum disease. Bridges can last around 10 years. Dentures can vary in longevity depending on if they are full (5-10 years) or partial (10-15 years).
Cost
“You get what you pay for” rings true for your teeth as well. As you can see, dental implants are the most natural looking, easily maintained and longest lasting option so they will obviously be the most expensive option. The cost of bridges and dentures may be less expensive up front, but due to their need to be replaced they may end up costing more in the long-run.
References
- Dental Bridge Vs. Implant: Which is Right For You? Colgate. Available on 11 July 2021. Website: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/bridges-and-crowns/dental-bridge-vs-implant-which-is-right-for-you
- Dental Bridge Vs. Tooth Implant: The Pros and Cons. Doug Lewis Dentistry. Available on 11 July 2021. Website: https://douglewisdmd.com/dental-bridge-vs-tooth-implant-the-pros-and-cons/
- Implants Vs. Dentures-Explaining the Pros & Cons of Each Treatment. Buck Walter Dental Care. Available on 11 July 2021. Website: https://www.buckwalterdentalcare.com/post/implants-vs-dentures-explaining-the-pros-cons-of-each-treatment
