Dental Implants or Dental Bridges: Which is Best?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, there are two main options: dental bridges or dental implants near you. A dental implant consists of a titanium screw implanted into the jawbone connected to a porcelain dental crown. A dental bridge uses two teeth on either side of the missing tooth as anchors using dental crowns, joined together by a false tooth filling the missing space. Both of these dental restorations come with their own advantages and disadvantages, and in this blog post, our team at Greenwoods Dental tells you all you need to know about these restorative dentistry treatments so you can make an informed decision about your oral health.

Treatment Time

It is much quicker for a dentist in Winnipeg to place a dental bridge than it is for them to place a dental implant. While a dental bridge takes about two to three appointments to fully place, a dental implant takes several appointments and several months to place. Dental implants must go through a period known as osseointegration, which is a period of many months where the implant post integrates with the jawbone.

Involvement of Abutment Teeth

One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is that they can stand on their own in your mouth and don’t involve the alteration of adjacent teeth. On the other hand, a dental bridge requires a dentist near you to remove the tooth enamel from the teeth on either side of the gap, permanently altering them and making them more vulnerable to infection. Additionally, this means that a dental bridge is only as strong as the teeth that support it, so you need to have very healthy abutment teeth to get a dental bridge.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Treatment

To get dental implants in Winnipeg, you will have to undergo a mild surgical treatment. However, dental bridges do not require any such surgery. Some patients elect not to get dental implants because they don’t want to undergo a surgical procedure or they are unable to due to their medical history. In these cases, a dental bridge is the best choice. If, however, the patient has healthy gums and a strong jawbone, they are an excellent candidate for dental implants and should opt for them as their first choice of tooth replacement. A dental implant is considered the best option for tooth replacement because it mimics both the appearance and function of a natural tooth by replacing both the tooth root and the tooth itself.

Cost

Dental implants involve more intervention and are therefore more expensive than dental bridges. Some factors that contribute to the cost of dental implants include materials, lab fees, and radiology fees. If you are cost-concerned, you may want to consider getting a dental bridge over a dental implant.

Visit Greenwoods Dental

If you would like to learn more about dental implants and dental bridges and determine which restorative dentistry option is best for you, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals at Greenwoods Dental. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have and get you on your way to a happy, healthy smile. Please contact us to book your consultation today.