Dental implants and bridges are both intended for the same purpose – to replace missing teeth in the upper or lower arches of the oral cavity. However, when the pros and cons of both treatments are evaluated, it is clear to see that dental implant surgery offers more benefits, and better results in the long run.

What exactly are Dental Implants and how do they differ from Dental Bridges?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth – complete with a root fabricated using titanium (or other materials), and a crown made of porcelain or zirconia.
The root resembles a ‘screw’ and is fitted surgically into the jawbone, so as to give this artificial tooth a strong, unwavering foundation and support. Dental implants in Orlando are currently considered the best, most effective treatment for missing teeth in the mouth.

Bridges on the other hand, also a popular missing teeth replacement treatment, are 2-4 unit fixed dental prostheses. They use the support of sound, natural teeth on either side of an empty socket, to ‘suspend’ a crown over the gap in order to restore dental function, as well as smile aesthetics.
For this purpose the natural teeth have to be trimmed down to a certain size on order to accommodate bridge cementation. Not only does this treatment harm natural teeth in the process, it also only replaces the crown, or upper portion of a missing tooth.

What are the benefits of choosing Dental Implants over Bridges?

To help you choose better, here are some of the more prominent advantages of opting for dental implant surgery to replace missing teeth in the mouth:

• Dental implants replace both, the root as well as the crown of a missing tooth – Bridges only replace crowns.
• Implants are remarkably strong and resilient. They cannot be fractured by intra-oral forces
• Implants are made to look and feel exactly like the other natural teeth in the mouth, using high quality material and state-of-the-art technology
• Unlike Bridges, Implants contribute to strengthening the underlying jaw bone and preventing it from thinning or resorption. In the absence of a root, such as in case of Bridges, the cells of the jaw bone start degenerating, making it weak and vulnerable to fractures over time.
• Dental implants can support complete dentures, giving patients without any teeth left in their mouth, a better quality of life
• Bridges may be cheaper, but Implants ensure complete functional restoration as well as unmatched smile aesthetics.

If you wish to learn more about Bridges and Dental Implants in Orlando, feel free to give us a call, or book an appointment with the team at Strategic Dental Care today.