Dental Bridge vs Implant – Top Dental Implants Specialist in Brooklyn

Looking and feeling great go hand in hand. And if you’re not feeling confident about your appearance, that can hold you back from being your best self. Missing teeth can affect your confidence, but they can affect more than that, too.

Missing teeth can change the way you speak and make it hard to maintain a healthy diet. Fortunately, there’s a Brooklyn cosmetic dentist who can help. Ask about a dental implant vs. bridge to help determine which option is best for you.

Bridging the Gap

A dental bridge puts false teeth between two existing, natural teeth, filling in the space where one or more teeth are missing. Often, crowns are affixed to the teeth on either side of the gap, providing the false tooth or teeth with the needed support.

A dental bridge may be the better choice for you if your teeth have been missing for a long time. Time allows the bone and surrounding tissue to erode to the point of needing restoration before your bridge can be placed. If your adjacent teeth need crowns or extensive fillings now or in the near future, a dental bridge may be the more practical choice than an implant.

Stuck on You

A major difference between a dental implant vs. bridge is how your new teeth are held in place. A dental implant is attached as a peg directly inserted into your gum or jaw. A prosthetic tooth is then attached to the implanted peg.

Bone mass decreases rapidly following the loss of a tooth or teeth. The type of dental implant bridge that your Brooklyn family dentist uses depends largely on how much jaw bone you still have. There are two types of implants:

1. Endosteal implants are placed through your gum and surgically implanted into your bone. The implant may consist of screws, blades or cylinders, and they can hold one or several teeth, including a full dental implant bridge.
2. Subperiosteal implants go through the gum as well, but they sit on top of the jawbone, held in place by a metal framework. This is a better choice if you have some bone erosion, making it difficult or impossible to use an endosteal implant.

If excessive bone loss is evident, you may need to undergo additional procedures — such as a bone graft or sinus lift — before the implant can be placed. In this case, a traditional bridge may make more sense for you.

Contributing Factors

While you’re deciding whether to choose a dental implant vs. bridge, take the following into consideration:

• A dental bridge usually has a lower upfront cost than a dental implant; however, the chances of a dental bridge needing to be replaced are much higher than with a dental implant, which could lead to the bridge being more expensive over time.
• Dental implants are easier to keep clean than dental bridges. An implant fits securely into your gum and looks like a natural tooth. This makes it easier to brush and floss. A dental bridge features two crowns on your natural teeth and a prosthetic that sits atop your gum in between. This setup can make it challenging to keep the area under and around the bridge clean, leading to future problems with surrounding teeth.
• Both dental implants and bridges require multiple visits to your general dentist in Brooklyn.

Benefits and Risks

The benefits of replacing lost teeth are great, whether you choose a dental implant bridge or a more traditional bridge. Both procedures:

• Allow you to eat comfortably, enjoying a healthful diet complete with crunchy produce, nuts, and lean protein.
• Increase your confidence and improve your appearance.
• Decrease bone loss and shifting teeth resulting from tooth loss.

As with any medical or dental procedure, whether dental implant vs. bridge, there are several risks. After receiving your false teeth, you may experience some discomfort and pain, which is usually alleviated by prescription or over-the-counter pain medication. Expect some swelling at the site. Rarer risks for both procedures include infection, nerve damage, and damage to the blood vessels and tissue surrounding the site of the procedure. These risks are greater with a dental implant, but the incidence is still low.

After your implant or bridge is in place, you’ll have restrictions on chewing for several days or weeks, depending on the procedure. Swelling and pain should last no more than a few days. Avoid drinking through a straw, and say no to sticky or very hard foods. Practice good dental hygiene and visit your Brooklyn dentist often — and you’ll keep that winning smile shining bright.

Before & After GALLERY