Choosing: Dental Implants Versus A Dental Bridge

History of Dental Implants

Currently over 150 companies produce dental implants, and most are in their 4th or 5th generation of manufacturing. Implant success rates are 92-98% depending on who you read in the literature. The first implant placed was over 30 years ago, and still in use today.

Fear of dental implants & long term consequences

Titanium is the major component of implants between 96 – 100%, depending on the manufacturer. There are different alloys added for properties that are superior to “pure” titanium.

Here is the MAJOR POINT. There has been no documented case of an adverse reaction to implanted titanium. In medicine, titanium has now replaced stainless steel when repairing bony fractures. Bone and titanium are very compatible. Bone will actually grow over titanium implanted to repair a jaw fracture. Therefore it is highly unlikely you’ll have any long term complications from implanted titanium.

Advantages of Dental Implants Versus a Dental Bridge

1) An Implant doesn’t rely on adjacent teeth for support. A bridge increases the chewing forces by 50 per cent on the adjacent teeth. Implants do not necessitate the removal of pristine tooth structure risking the underlying tooth’s health.

2) It is a reversible procedure. If you decided that you don’t want the implant anymore and a bridge instead, you can remove the implant and the bone will regenerate. Whereas if you went with a bridge first and then an implant, the “prepped” teeth would still require crowns.

3) Long term viability is excellent.

4) Finances, the implant restoration will cost less versus a bridge over time. All bridges eventually fail. Imagine if one of your anchor teeth was damaged to the point where the bridge is failing, you would have to pay for a new bridge. Depending on the bridge and the stability of the adjacent teeth, you may look at a few replacements in a lifetime assuming you live to the average age.

Disadvantages of Dental Implants Versus a Dental Bridge

1) Time. It’s a long process when compared to a bridge. From extraction to healing to implant placement and osseointegration, it can be as long as 4-9 months before you get a functional crown. A bridge will be done in about 2-3 months.

2) Surgery. Everyone that I’ve met dislikes the idea of surgery.

3) Higher maintenance, because of the intricate pieces and parts, close observation is needed. You will need to have your teeth and implant cleaned and checked at least twice a year. Sometimes parts and pieces do malfunction. Implants are not a be-all end all type of restoration. In good hands, it will be the best treatment option for a single missing tooth.

4) Cost, initially the cost of an implant will be higher than of a fixed bridge. If this is your only deciding factor, I would consider visiting a few offices to get a sense of what is a nominal fee and what is excessive. Each dental office is different in what they offer, so calling and shopping around is something I discourage. You need to visit each office and have a consultation.

Dentists Are Opinionated

Dentists are opinionated by what they experience. Every dentist has a unique insight and experience; you will get very different opinions about implants. Some will say a bridge is equally effective as an implant. Others will do implants over a bridge every time. Implants are here to stay in the modern era of dentistry. They are the gold standard for single tooth replacement. However, the decision is ultimately up to you, the patient.

Be Honest About Your Concerns

Now consider the profession of dentistry as an institute of TRUST. You didn’t go to dental school, (nor did you want to), therefore you are “TRUSTING” your dentist, what they would do considering all the factors that go into a decision. The more honest and forthcoming you are about what concerns you will allow your dentist to make the best recommendation for you. You obviously know that we cannot explain every intricate physiological process of a certain condition in a consultation appointment of 30 minutes when we went to dental school for 4 years plus many years of clinical experience.

Hopefully, this article will have given you some insight into this process and you can make a good informed decision.

Choosing: Dental Implants Versus A Dental Bridge 10.0101