Your Kanata Invisalign® Provider
If you have a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, you may be considering the pros and cons of various tooth replacement options. Here, our Kanata dentists discuss some of the benefits of replacing missing teeth with dental bridges, compared to those of dental implants and dentures.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed dental appliance that fills the gap left by missing teeth. It can be used to replace a single missing tooth or several missing teeth in a row. Bridges are typically made of two dental crowns (one on each side of the gap) and the false tooth (or teeth) that bridge the space in between.
How do I know which type of tooth replacement to choose?
Each dental restoration and tooth replacement has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist will recommend the best tooth replacement option for you based on a variety of factors such as your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Dental bridges or dental implants?
Both dental bridges and dental implants are long-term treatments for tooth loss. Dental bridges typically need to be replaced after 5 to 15 years, whereas dental implants can last much longer than that. This is an important distinction between the two.
However, compared to the dental implant procedure, which involves surgery, the dental bridge procedure is considerably less invasive and has a quicker recovery period. The cost of dental implants is typically higher than that of bridges, and insurance coverage is less likely.
Dental bridges or dentures?
Dentures are removable, whereas bridges are anchored to the neighbouring teeth, and this is the primary distinction between bridges and dentures.
The majority of the time, a dental bridge is advised when only a few missing teeth need to be replaced or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth.
Both partial dentures and dental bridges are tooth replacement options that are typically covered by dental insurance plans, despite partial dentures being slightly more expensive on average.
Why replace missing teeth?
When missing teeth are not replaced, a range of dental health issues can develop. It can be difficult to chew and speak, and as time passes, the surrounding teeth may move out of place, making the situation worse. Moreover, the jaw structure near the missing teeth may begin to deteriorate, leading to facial collapse.
You can avoid these problems by using bridges, implants, or dentures, among other different solutions. They all fill in the gaps left by missing teeth, stop the teeth next to them from shifting, and support the maintenance of your ability to chew and speak.