Dental Implants vs. Bridges for Single Tooth Replacement
August 15, 2018
If you’ve recently lost one or more teeth, you’ve probably heard a little bit about your options already. The bridges vs. dental implants debate has heated up in recent years, spurred by both marketplace competition and falling prices for dental implants across the country. If you’re weighing your options before talking to a periodontist in St. Augustine, FL, here are the key points of comparison you need to know about.
A Closer Look at Bridges
Bridges have stood the test of time and the art of building and placing them is very well-established. They look very much like natural teeth because of the availability of high-quality construction materials like porcelain. Their architecture is built to last for about 15 years at which point they need to be replaced. Occasionally, bridgework must be redone because of damage to the teeth from accidents.
A Closer Look at Dental Implants
Implants are anchored to the jaw by titanium so they have a core that lends them the same kind of anchoring strength your natural teeth have. This helps prevent the bone deterioration seen in many patients who lose teeth. This deterioration is even found in denture and bridge patients, despite the patients’ use of replacement prosthetics. Dental Implants are also permanent and only need to be replaced if damaged by accident.
Make Your Appointment Today
If you’ve recently lost teeth, you need to make a decision about your replacements soon. Waiting too long to get bridges or dental implants can lead to side effects like:
- Misaligned teeth
- Rapid jawbone deterioration
- Problems eating and drinking
- Changes to appearance
Act now to preserve your smile for life. Contact us today to make an appointment with Dr. Strout at the Center for Dental Excellence and find out more about whether implants are right for you. If you’re a current patient who has already received implants, don’t forget to schedule your six-month cleaning. We want to help you have your best smile.