Implants vs Bridges
Seattle, WA
 Missing a tooth is never easy but if you were looking for a way to restore them, there is good news for you. Advancements in dental restoration technology have come a long way and today we have multiple options that can help you get your beautiful smile back. Dental implants and bridges are two such options that have become increasingly popular ever since they were introduced to the dental market.
If you are looking to get your missing or damaged tooth replaced, you might be asking yourself, “Should I get an implant or bridge?” Although both of these treatment options can help you restore a missing tooth, the similarities between them end there. Dental implants take a vastly different approach to restoration compared to bridges. Dental implants involve surgically placing a prosthetic tooth root in your gums instead of relying on nearby teeth for support, which is a fundamental part of the process in bridgework.
If you are interested in learning more about how dental implants and bridges can help you restore your natural smile and bite force, Queen Anne Family Dental takes great pleasure in helping our patients understand the treatment they are planning to undergo. We understand that dealing with a missing tooth can be heavily taxing on your physical and mental health, which is why we take extra measures to ensure our patients are feeling comfortable at all times.
How Dental Implants Work
Implant-supported restorations involve a tooth root made from titanium that is surgically placed into your gums and allowed to fuse with your gum tissue before the crown or replacement tooth is attached. The time taken for the healing process to conclude will depend on many factors but mainly it is decided by how fast your body accepts the implant.
During your first visit, our dental surgeons will conduct a comprehensive oral exam to determine if you are a good candidate for implant surgery. Once it’s established that you are safe to undergo the surgery, they will start preparing the neighboring teeth. The preparation for this entails cleaning up and removing excess enamel to make room for the crown.
How Dental Bridges Work
Dental bridges depend on the surrounding teeth for support and stability. In some cases, our dental surgeon may choose to go with a bridge instead of an implant if the patient does not have adequate bone density in the jawbone or if they are dealing with underlying health conditions that can complicate the surgery.
Dental bridges also give more control in the hands of dental surgeons to make minor adjustments, which is not possible with dental implants. Overall, dental bridges are a less expensive restoration compared to dental implants, but the differences don’t end there.
Which One Should You Choose?
Dental implants come at a higher cost compared to bridges, particularly if you are opting for more than one at a time. However, using price as a deciding factor for dental restorations can often lead to deceiving conclusions. Dental implants are a permanent solution to restoring missing teeth, whereas dental bridges can last up to 10 years with proper care.
Contrary to bridges, dental implants also support jaw health by stimulating the underlying jawbone, much like how natural teeth would. Bridges on the other hand lean on nearby teeth for support that can actually impact the health of those teeth negatively.
Dealing with a missing tooth is never an easy venture, but thanks to the latest advancements in dental restorations, patients can now choose from a variety of treatments to get their beautiful smile back. If you would like to learn more about dental bridges or implants, Queen Anne Family Dental will be more than happy to get you acquainted with both restoration procedures. Furthermore, if you have any questions about a consultation or would like to book one on the phone, call us at (206) 424-4450 to speak with our friendly staff.
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