Implant VS Bridge:

Many times I come across this question, "Dr what is the difference between Implant and Bridge?"

Until few years back, if you were missing some tooth / teeth, bridge was the only available option. The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are prepped by removing enamel and create room for the bridge to sit on. With dental implants, the dentist will put a titanium screw in the bone in the area of missing tooth and put a crown on top once the titanium fuses to the bone (4-6 months).

A dental bridge may be your best option if the neighboring teeth have large fillings or Root canal treated and need crowns or caps in the future. And if the tooth or teeth have been lost for a long time, the gum and bone will have receded and additional bone and soft tissue grafting procedures are required before implant placement.

Your dentist can recommend, what would be a good procedure for you.

Pros and Cons:

Bridge:

Pros: Bridge can be made and delivered in two appointments, so patient is not waiting for months.

Cons: The bridge design creates challenges when brushing and flossing, especially in the area of missing tooth/ teeth, so extra care and attention is needed. When flossing, in particular, an additional step is needed to thread the floss under the false tooth. If this care is not taken, then the adjacent teeth on which the bridge is supported may get decay, sometimes ending up in Root canal or extraction.

Implant:

Pros: You can effectively brush and floss around an implant just like your natural tooth.

The implant is made of titanium, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), and this material fuses with your jawbone naturally through a process called osseointegration, and feels just like a natural tooth.

Cons: It requires few steps and few months before you can get a crown.

Price: The Price of implant and bridge is very similar.

Dental insurances do cover portion of Implant / bridge depending on your plan. If you need help to replacing your missing tooth / teeth, call us at 408-725-1536 or email us at info@hillsdentalgroup.com to schedule an appointment. We at Hills dental will help you make a informed decision and treat you accordingly.