No one wants to lose a tooth. However, tooth loss is nonetheless something that many of our patients will experience. Whether from severe decay or a traumatic injury, losing a tooth can hurt your confidence and affect your ability to chew and speak normally.
Fortunately, modern dentistry has an answer for tooth loss. Rather, it has several answers.
You have a few options if you have lost a tooth (or need to have a tooth extracted). Dental implants and bridges are two of the most common and popular treatments. But which one is right for you?
Dental Implants
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth inserted into the jawbone. Most modern implants have a titanium or titanium alloy post, which fuses with the bone to provide a secure, lasting fit.
It takes a couple of months for the new bone to grow around the post and establish a stable connection. Dental implants usually feel more stable than conventional bridges or dentures.
Once the implant heals, your dentist places a crown onto the top of the implant. Your new tooth is fully functional and blends seamlessly with your natural teeth.
How do dental implants work?
Dental implants closely replicate your natural tooth. They offer comparable strength (implants are about 80% – 90% as strong as a natural tooth), mimic the appearance of your existing teeth, and preserve your jawbone.
Losing a tooth can quickly and negatively affect your jawbone and surrounding teeth. Your jaw (and smile) isn’t supposed to have an empty space. As a result, tooth loss can cause your jawbone to deteriorate and weaken. Receiving a dental implant prevents this from happening.
The implant replaces the natural tooth and fills the gap in the jaw, thus stimulating bone growth and preserving the jawbone.
Plus, that new gap in your mouth will cause your other teeth to shift or move. It can lead to misalignment, crooked teeth, and other oral health problems.
Dental implants are incredibly durable and can last for decades. You can smile, talk, eat, and laugh normally, just as you did before you lost your original tooth!
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants are durable, long-lasting, reliable, and highly effective. They restore your smile’s function and aesthetics while ensuring the health of your jawbone and surrounding teeth.
- Appearance: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth so that you can smile confidently. They also retain a natural appearance longer than dental bridges do.
- Durable: With dental implants, you can chew and speak normally. The titanium post is exceptionally durable and provides a stable foundation for the tooth.
- Preserve bone structure: The dental implant fills the empty spot in your jawbone left behind by tooth loss. The implant preserves the jawbone’s integrity by stimulating bone growth and preventing bone loss.
- Prevents misalignment: Losing a tooth can cause the neighbouring teeth to shift towards the space. Your teeth become misaligned, which can lead to further oral health issues. Plus, it compromises the appearance of your smile! A dental implant replaces the missing tooth before any other tooth can move.
- Reliable: The long-term success rate of dental implants is over 95%, far greater than that of dental bridges.
- Long-lasting: It’s common for dental implants to last for 20 years or more. (However, you do need to care for your implants by practising good oral hygiene!)
- No strain on teeth: Dental implants owe their stability to the titanium post placed in your jawbone. Bridges, on the other hand, rely on the neighbouring teeth for support. Over time, this can strain the other teeth.
Dental Bridges
What are dental bridges?
Dental bridges fill in missing teeth without replacing the roots. Aptly named, they bridge the gap between the two remaining teeth. Instead of using a titanium post, the artificial tooth (or teeth) is anchored to the neighbouring teeth using caps and a strong adhesive.
There are several variations of dental bridges. Different parts of the mouth require different types of bridges, such as the back of the mouth versus the front. They come in multiple materials, like porcelain, metal, or ceramic.
How does a dental bridge work?
A dental bridge fills in the gap in your smile with a prosthetic tooth held in place by your existing teeth. The two teeth on either side of the gap are shaved down before the placement of the bridge.
Then, your dentist places a cap (or crown) over each tooth with the bridge in the middle. Then, strong adhesive securely attaches the bridge.
Dentists will use a Cantilever bridge if you only have one adjacent tooth for support.
Dental bridges are beneficial if you have lost more than one tooth in a row. The bridge can contain multiple false teeth, thus restoring the appearance and function of your smile.
What are the benefits of a dental bridge?
Dental bridges are a simple, quick, and straightforward solution to tooth loss. They fill in the gap in your smile, thereby improving the appearance and function of your mouth.
- Simple procedure: You can receive your dental bridge in one or two simple, straightforward appointments. Placement is also less painful and requires no anesthesia.
- Quick recovery time: The recovery time for dental bridges is faster than that for other procedures. In part, it is because there is no need for bone grafting or invasive surgery.
- Function: Dental bridges restore your chewing and speaking functions.
- Prevents misalignment: A dental bridge prevents your neighbouring teeth from shifting into the gap left behind by tooth loss. You can avoid misalignment by getting a dental bridge soon after losing a tooth.
- Cost: The initial cost of a dental bridge is usually lower than an implant.
Should you choose a dental implant or a dental bridge?
Which is suitable for you, a dental implant or a dental bridge? Every patient’s situation and needs differ, so talking to your dentist at Bristol Dental Clinic is essential. Both implants and bridges will restore the look and function of your mouth and keep your natural teeth from becoming misaligned.
However, dental implants have several significant advantages. Unlike dental bridges, implants prevent jawbone deterioration and do not strain your remaining natural teeth. They also tend to last longer. The titanium post also means that implants are incredibly stable.
Bristol Dental Clinic: The Dental Implant Experts in Mississauga
If you have lost a tooth or need an extraction, the dental team at Bristol Dental Clinic is ready to help.
We offer dental implant and dental bridge procedures to replace your missing tooth and restore the look and function of your mouth. Contact us today to learn more.
To book a dental implant or dental bridge appointment in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
