Dental Implant vs Dental Bridge – Which Is Best?
Depending upon where it is in your mouth, having just one missing tooth can affect many things. The way you speak, drink, and eat can all be made far more difficult and it can also badly affect your self confidence, especially if the gap is visible. For those who have a single missing tooth, your dentist will probably recommend two options. Either a dental bridge or a dental implant. In Richmond here at Sheen Dental, we’ll talk you through both choices and explain your options carefully. Here’s what you might want to consider.
Dental bridge advantages
One of the main advantages that sways people towards a dental bridge is the cost. Usually it’s around 30% cheaper than a standard dental implant. What’s more, it doesn’t require a surgical procedure to fit and can therefore be attached that same day. This means that the patient doesn’t have to wait around, especially if they have a busy schedule to keep to. Conversely an implant needs to be fitted in stages, sometimes taking up to 9 months.
Dental Implant advantages
In contrast a dental implant does require a short surgical procedure to fit but once in place, it’s permanent. If you take the average life of a dental bridge which lasts around 10-15 years, there really is no comparison when you consider that if a dental implant is looked after, there’s no reason why it won’t last forty years or more (that’s 3-4 times as long!). However perhaps the main advantage of a dental implant over a dental bridge is that an implant is secured directly into the jaw bone, meaning it’s self-supporting. A dental bridge on the other hand has to rely on the support of the two teeth adjacent to the gap. These teeth have to be ground down to support the mechanism and as a result otherwise normal healthy teeth can put at risk.
So there you have it, the advantages and disadvantages of both dental bridges and dental implants in Richmond! If you’re looking for longevity, durability and a more natural looking form of tooth replacement, then you really should consider a dental implant. However if you’re looking for a lower cost, quick fix solution, then a dental bridge might be the better option.
If you’re in a dilemma about your dental options then speak to Dr Harmit Kalsi and the team at Sheen Dental. Why not contact us on 020 8876 5277 and let us give you all the facts so that you can make an informed dental decision. Alternatively, check out our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk where you can find a wealth of information.