Losing a tooth is always nerve-racking, but when it’s a visible front tooth, it can be devastating. The good news is that bridges and implants can restore your smile beautifully — the key is deciding which one suits your needs better.
At Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center, our team offers the most advanced, natural-looking restorations to help patients restore their smiles, oral health, and confidence following tooth loss. Here, we review both bridges and implants to help you decide which is right for you.
Of all the different types of dental restorations, bridges have the most appropriate name. That’s because these restorations literally bridge the gap between two teeth, spanning the space left by one or more missing teeth.
Dental bridges feature a sturdy framework that supports one or more artificial teeth or crowns. Your natural teeth on either side of the gap support the bridge and typically get covered by protective crowns. Crowns prevent these supportive teeth from damage caused by the bridge “connectors” when you bite or chew.
Bridges don’t require surgery, but they do require a couple of office visits. At the first visit, we shape the support teeth so they’re ready for their crowns, then we make an impression of the area to serve as a mold for both the crowns and the bridge itself.
The bridge and crowns are custom-made to match the color and contour of your natural teeth with beautiful and durable results. At your second visit, we adhere the crowns using a strong adhesive, then adjust the crowns and bridge for a perfect fit.
Dental implants consist of an implantable post placed in your jawbone, along with an artificial tooth or crown that’s secured to the post. Like bridges, they require a couple of visits for placement.
At the first visit, we implant the titanium metal post during a simple surgical procedure. If your jawbone is thin, we can place a supportive bone graft at the same time.
Once we place the post, we allow the area to heal for several weeks before moving on to the next step: crown placement. During these weeks, the post integrates with your jawbone, creating a very secure attachment for the artificial tooth.
During the second visit, we place the crown on the post using a third implant component, called an abutment. Implants are like natural teeth, with the post essentially serving as an artificial root for extra security and a more natural feel.
Both bridges and implants can be excellent choices for replacing a visible front tooth; each looks and works like a natural tooth. That said, there are some key differences to consider when deciding the best option for your own needs.
First, bridges can be placed more quickly, typically within a couple of weeks once we make the crown. For implants, several weeks should pass before putting the crown on the post. In the meantime, we can “fill” the space with a temporary bridge, but you do need to prepare for a longer timeline for your final restoration.
Implants also require surgery, while bridges do not, and there tends to be a higher cost for implants as a result.
On the other hand, many patients find implants feel more natural and secure. Because they’re attached to the bone, they function more like a natural tooth, and the post can also stimulate the bone replacement cycle inside your jaw to help maintain bone density and prevent loss of neighboring teeth.
Implants also tend to be easier to care for than a dental bridge, requiring the same type of care — brushing, flossing, and regular checkups — as your natural teeth. Bridges require the same care, but cleaning around a bridge takes a little more time and effort.
The bottom line is that both options can significantly improve your smile and confidence after tooth loss, particularly the loss of a visible front tooth.
To learn more about both options or for additional help deciding which choice is better for your goals, call 248-681-8100 or request an appointment online at Dr. Taylor’s Family Dental Center in Waterford, Michigan, today. Our team of skilled dentists is available seven days a week, and we offer same-day emergency visits.
