Missing teeth are extremely common in the adult and older generation. Once you lose a tooth, it’s important to replace it to keep the alignment of the rest of the teeth in the arch.
Replacing teeth also helps maintain the shape of your face and prevent any problems of eating and speaking.
Two common options are:

Benefits Of Early Orthodontic Visits

  • Dental Implants and

  • Dental Bridges

Both options take about the same amount of time to complete and will work in different ways, so people need to decide which option works best for them.

Dental Implants are made of titanium and act as the root of the missing tooth. They are surgically placed into the jawbone to hold a crown or bridge in place. They have been popular in dental offices for the past 2 decades because they offer several benefits. Compared to restoring missing teeth with a bridge, the success rate for implants is higher and they offer better retention and support throughout your lifetime.

Dental Bridges on the other hand are artificial teeth fixed onto the teeth surrounding the missing tooth/teeth. These are made from materials like ceramic or zirconium which have high strength and match the shade and color of your teeth.

Let’s compare the pros and cons of dental implants and dental bridges to help you make an informed decision.

  • Prosthesis Life – Implants are permanent teeth whereas the prosthesis of a bridge only last 10 to 15 years.

  • Shape Preservation and Stability – Dental bridges may lose their natural appearance over the years with wear and tear while dental implants show minimal to no changes with age.

  • Time involved – An implant is placed within one visit but requires 3-6 months healing time before it’s ready to receive the crown or bridge on it. (although most people can leave a few hours after their surgery is complete). While dental bridges require only 2 sittings spread over a few weeks.

  • Expenditure – Dental Bridges are cheaper upfront as compared to dental implants.
    Effect on adjacent teeth – Dental bridges may cause more cavities and tooth decay in the adjacent teeth as compared to Dental implants.

  • Surgical intervention – Dental implants require bone grafts and invasive surgery while Dental bridges do not involve any such procedures although they do involve damage to the healthy teeth adjacent to the missing tooth.

How to Decide between and implant and a bridge

Before you make your final decision regarding and implant or a bridge always consider

1. Your dentists advise

Your Dentist advises you only after careful consideration of your oral health, your gum condition and bone health and how long lasting the option selected be for you. Also, your overall health is also a key factor in deciding what will suit you best. So, whenever you decide always to consider your dentists advise first.

2. The number of missing teeth

If you have are a young person with a single missing anterior tooth or multiple missing teeth or even no teeth at all then you should consider dental implants as your best option. However, people with poor gum health or
uncontrolled diabetes are not the best candidates for and implant and might be better suited for a dental bridge

3. The long-term benefit

It has been proven that dental implants act as permanent teeth as compared to dental bridges which usually last around 10-15 years (and may last longer depending on your oral hygiene maintenance) Dental implants are hence the more long lasting option.

4. Your budget

Dental bridges are usually cheaper than implants, but below factors often impact the total cost of your treatment and in some cases, may amount to the same on considering the total cost and number of visits involved

  • Type of implants or bridges

  • Material involved

  • The area you live in

  • The extent of your treatment.

5. Time

The entire process of getting a dental implant can last up to 3 – 6 months while dental bridges are usually completed in 1 – 2 weeks involving minimum two to maximum 3 visits at the most.
Although implants take a longer time to be fixed your dentist might give you a temporary denture for the healing period. Patients usually wait for 2-3 months before a crown is fixed onto the implant.

The Takeaway

Dental implants and Dental Bridges are two good options for restoring missing teeth. Dental bridges require less expense, time and may be less invasive but may not be as long lasting and also cause decay in the adjacent teeth in the long run.

If your overall health is good and expense is not a concern, dental implants in pune may be the best option as they last longer and do not damage the adjacent teeth while giving a more natural appearance and function.
Smilex International Dental Centre is the best Dental clinic in Pune for Dental implants as well as dental bridges. Dr. Vijay Deshmukh is one of India’s leading implantologists and has successfully placed implants from 90- year-old patients to young adults. If you are looking to replace your missing teeth, book an appointment today and experience world class treatment as we restore your teeth and brighten your smiles.