top of page
Writer's pictureDr Stuti Thaper

Dental Implant or Dental Bridge: Which one Should You Choose?

Updated: Apr 10, 2019


Injury to teeth, poor oral hygiene & gum diseases are the primary reasons for missing tooth or teeth. Tooth replacement options have considerably evolved over the years, thanks to technological advancements in dentistry. Dental implants and dental bridges are two main options which are commonly used for replacing missing tooth or teeth.

But Patient’s are often confused which one to choose, as both dental implants as well as dental bridge look to be a good option but have different price points. Let’s understand both the options with their pros and cons.


What is a Dental Implant?


Dental implants are replacement of tooth roots and are made to match the natural teeth. These artificial roots act as a foundation support for the artificial crown, bridge or other prosthesis, just like your natural root of the tooth. They offer several advantages, some of which are:

• Improved speech and confidence • Enhanced facial appearance

• Better Oral Hygiene

• Long-lasting results

• Better Bite efficiency

What is a Dental Bridge?


Dental bridge is a set of 2 or more Ceramic tooth(crown) that is used as a bridge to close the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are either supported by implants or natural teeth. Bridge helps to restore your natural smile and the ability to chew and speak. It also helps to maintain the aesthetics of one's face. Dental Bridge distributes the bite forces and assist the remaining teeth to keep their natural position (and hence save the natural teeth from excess bite force and wearing off).

Even though both dental implant and dental bridge seems to offer similar advantages, dental implants are the most preferred procedure. Let’s understand the underlying reasons.


types of dental bridge in Jaipur
Types of Dental Bridge

Why Choose Dental Implants over Bridges?


1. Dental implants act almost like natural teeth when it comes to feel and function. This is because the titanium implant post replicates the restoring functionality, and durability of the natural root. It acts as a pillar or foundation to support the dental crown or dental bridge.


2. When a tooth is lost, the jaw-bone in that area starts to resorb (shrinking) which can affect the immediately adjacent teeth as well as the other surrounding teeth (tilting or wearing off due to excess pressure). Dental implants prevents this phenomenon. Thus ultimately helps to preserve the facial structure of the patient.


3. Dental implants have little to no risk of tooth decay as opposed to dental bridges. Implants are also relatively easy to keep clean as simple floss & inter-dental brushing can easily get around and do the job.


4. Dental bridges sit on the gum in the area where there is a missing tooth. Whereas, dental implants are fixed into the jaw-bone which offers natural stimulation with chewing actions. This provides strength to the jaw bone which lies beneath the missing tooth and hence prevents bone loss, which is commonly seen in patients with bridges. Dental implants also promote bone growth and reinforce the jaw-bone which in turn helps to maintain the jawline as well as facial structure.


5. The success rate of dental implants is much higher as compared to dental bridges. In general, dental implants have a success rate of up to 98% ( if done with correct technique and maintained properly).


6. The quality of dental implants, patient’s overall heath, bone health, oral hygiene, the experience of the dental surgeons performing the dental implant surgery, etc. help determine the longevity of the dental implants. Mostly, Dental Implants last for a lifetime if cared for as prescribed by the dentist.


At Thaper Dental Clinic our Dental Surgeons 'Dr Rakesh Thaper' & 'Dr Stuti Thaper', are highly trained in the technique of Dental Implant placement. We have a success rate of more than 98% over the period of 27 years of our implant practice.

77 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page