Losing teeth comes with many downfalls – it can negatively impact the appearance of your smile, create functionality or eating issues and can seriously knock your confidence. As a result, many patients opt for dental solutions to recover their smile to how it was. The two main solutions to this include dental implants or bridge work.
Both of these options can address the issue of missing teeth easily, but from a technical point of view they are very different. If you are looking for missing teeth solutions, it’s important that you’re aware of the options available to you and what they can offer. To understand them in more detail, here is what you need to know about each treatment and whether dental implants or bridge work are the right option for you.
Teeth can be lost or become loose due to loss of bone supporting the teeth. In order to rebuild this structure, a dental implant made of titanium is used to replace the tooth.
Once placed, over a few months your dentist will continue to examine the structure to see whether bone has developed and grown around the metal structure. Once tested, if your dentist feels that the structure is secure, a dental crown is then screwed on the implant and sealed into place.
– A dental implant encourages the healing of surrounding bone and gums under the teeth
– Puts less of a burden on the surrounding teeth
– Long term risks to the jaw are reduced
– It is a long lasting solution to your missing teeth
– Due to the skill required, materials used and time taken, the treatment isn’t a cheap solution (particularly if multiple teeth need to be replaced)
– It can take time for your mouth to heal following the procedure
– Requires several months for the treatment to be fully completed
Dental bridge work involves a dental bridge being attached to the teeth surrounding the gap, creating a bridge across the area of your smile. If necessary, the two opposing teeth where the gap is are shaved down to accommodate the bridge to be fitted.
Caps or crowns are then placed over each of the teeth before the bridge is placed, showing a natural replacement for the missing gap. For cases where teeth may not be present on either side of the gap, a cantilever bridge is used which attaches to a single tooth and the bridge hangs over the gap.
– Bridge work can be a more cost-effective solution to missing teeth
– They can be a relatively quick solution
– Doesn’t require bone grafting where bone is less present
– It can cause strain on the surrounding teeth, particularly the teeth that the bridge is attached to which could mean that the surrounding teeth may fail
– They’re considered as more of a short term solution compared with dental implants due to the strain they cause on surrounding structures
– It doesn’t address the underlying structural problems which will cause the long term issues from bone loss to continue
– Cantilever bridge work in particular can be problematic, causing extreme stress on the tooth it’s attached to.
The best way you can discover which solution is the best for you is to speak to your dentist about the options available to you. Discussing the issue of missing teeth with your dentist, they’ll be able to understand your personal circumstances and weigh up whether it is better for you to have dental implants or bridge work, or even both.
Here at Dental Solutions we also have your concerns and health as a top priority. By booking a consultation with us, Gavin LaidIaw our Principal Dentist and partner will be able to meet you for a free no-obligation meeting. He can assess your situation and address your missing teeth with the best solution for you. We can also help with a structured payment plan, and can also offer interest-free credit. We hold several open events at the practice each year where you can book your free appointment or if you prefer, contact us here to Schedule an appointment with us today.