Patients today have more options than ever before for replacing missing teeth. Each treatment has its own benefits, considerations, and long-term impact on your oral health. Two of the most common solutions are dental implants and dental bridges.
At Kleinheinz Dentistry, we understand that choosing the right treatment can feel daunting without the proper information and guidance. Whether you’re considering a dental implant for a more permanent solution or exploring a bridge for teeth in Charlotte as a quicker fix, you should understand what each procedure involves.
This blog guides you through the key differences between implants and bridges, including durability, aesthetics, and maintenance.
What are dental bridges?
A dental bridge is a quick, minimally invasive solution to replacing one or more missing teeth by bridging the gap between them. A bridge requires two or more anchoring teeth, or abuntments, with the artificial tooth or teeth connected in between.
Once your dentist prepares the abutments, the laboratory is able to fabricate the bridge with the crowns on either side and the artificial tooth (the pontic) connected between. It’s all one appliance and gets cemented into place and does not come out.
This fills the gap, restoring function, appearance, and improving oral health.
Advantages of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer several unique benefits, including:
- Maintaining the shape of your face
- Restoring your ability to properly chew and speak
- Properly distributing the forces in your bite by replacing the missing teeth
- Restoring your smile
- Preventing remaining teeth from drifting out of position
Overall, bridges are an efficient procedure that is a less invasive method for replacing missing teeth, restoring chewing function, and improving appearance quickly.
Dental bridges may require the alteration of the natural teeth around the gap, and have an overall shorter life span than dental implants. Dr. Kleinheinz will discuss these disadvantages (along with the advantages) of dental bridges during your appointment to help determine what solution is the best for fixing your smile.
A bridge requires the preparation of two abutment teeth to hold the bridge in place to replace the missing tooth or teeth. If these abutment teeth are ‘healthy,’ it means cutting down good, healthy teeth to place the crowns on them.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants offer a different and slightly more advanced solution for replacing missing teeth that involves surgically placing a titanium post into the jawbone. This post, which is a stand-in for a tooth’s natural root, holds a custom-crafted crown in place.
This treatment offers a permanent solution for missing teeth as the titanium post fuses with the bone in a process known as osseointegration. If you want to learn more about the dental implant process and cost, read our blogs on dental implant vs. tooth transplant cost and the Charlotte dental implant cost.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Just like dental bridges, dental implants present their benefits. These benefits include:
- Highly durable and stable
- No impact of adjacent teeth
- Preserves bone structure by stimulating the jawbone and preventing loss of bone tissue
- Restores full chewing ability
- A natural look that completely mimics a real tooth in appearance and feel
Dental implants require a longer procedure time than dental bridges but last much longer. This treatment does require sufficient bone density to allow the implant post to fuse with the jawbone.
During your consultation, our team conducts a thorough oral exam to determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for dental implants, which includes ensuring you have suitable bone density. Dr. Kleinheinz can recommend alternative procedures for replacing missing teeth if you do not.
Not Sure Which Option Is Right? We Can Help.
Both dental implants and bridges offer effective solutions for restoring missing teeth, but the right choice depends on what’s best for your health, budget, and lifestyle. Whether you’re leaning toward a lasting implant or exploring a bridge for teeth in Charlotte, you need the guidance of a dental team that truly understands your needs.
At Kleinheinz Dentistry, we’re committed to helping you make informed, confident decisions about your care. Book an appointment with Kleinheinz Dentistry, and let’s find the right path forward together.
If you’re having other teeth trouble, Kleinheinz has you covered. From tooth decay removal to pain management for teeth, our team has solutions for your oral health concerns.
