Dental Bridge vs. Implant for Front Tooth – Which one should I get?

Dental bridges have been successfully used to quite literally bridge the gap left by missing teeth for decades. A custom-made, prosthetic tooth is secured to dental crowns placed either side of it. These crowns are placed over the healthy teeth neighbouring the gap while the prosthetic sits in the gap itself.

Dental bridges are fairly discreet and successful. However, there are a few considerations that you will need to make. One of the most important is the pressure that the bridge will place on the healthy teeth either side of the gap. Not only will these teeth need to be filed down to accept the crowns, which can be frustrating if they are perfectly healthy and attractive, but over time, the bridge will exert pressure on these natural teeth. It is not unheard of for this pressure to trigger dental problems with these previously healthy teeth. For this reason, if your teeth that will support a bridge are healthy and in good condition, and you have the financial means to pay for one since they are considerably more expensive, we would recommend that you consider a dental implant instead.

Dental implants are the only self-supporting tooth replacement option currently available. Rather than being attached to any other teeth and putting them under stress, each dental implant is freestanding, secured to your mouth via the implant post which is surgically placed into your jawbone. After surgery, the bone will heal around the post, cementing it permanently in place. A small part of the implant post protrudes above the gum and it is to this that a connector is used to attach the visible part of the tooth to the post.

It is this artificial root that helps dental implants to enjoy their reputation as the strongest and most secure of all tooth replacement solutions currently available.

This security is another key reason to choose an implant rather than a bridge for a missing tooth at the front of your mouth. These teeth are more on display than any others and if you have a gap in this area, it will be impossible to hide without a prosthetic. The trouble with dental bridges is that the fake tooth element is not actually secured to your gums, it sits on top of them. Not only could this enable microscopic bacteria and food debris to become trapped underneath and cause dental problems to develop, many patients also report that their bridge slips a little and becomes noticeable when they eat, drink, speak, sneeze and more. However, since implants are attached much more securely, there is less risk of problems developing and your implant will stay in place regardless of what you say, do, drink and eat.

Finally, dental implants may be more expensive than a bridge, but with proper care and attention they could last much longer. The average bridge can see you through approximately 15 years, while implants could last two decades or more.

If you are still struggling to decide between a dental bridge and dental implants, our dedicated and knowledgeable team would be happy to talk you through each and help you make an informed decision as to which solution is right you for. Please contact our offices to make an appointment.