Dental Bridge or Dental Implant – Which is Right for You?

Dental Bridge or Dental Implant – Which is Right for You?

Each of our individual teeth play a key role in maintaining the health and alignment of surrounding teeth. When a tooth is missing, adjacent teeth often begin to shift to fill the gap. This can cause teeth to tilt in less-than-ideal directions, causing issues with your bite, leading to crooked teeth, and even eventually causing jaw pain.

These issues caused by missing teeth can make it difficult to eat and speak properly, affecting your overall quality of life. This can have a negative impact on your confidence levels – especially if the appearance of your smile changes.

With more than one missing tooth, you may notice your facial features shifting. This is because your teeth are usually secured into the mouth and gums by their roots. They hold everything in place, while limiting bone density loss in the jaw. Without teeth in place to maintain the structure of your jaw and face, your appearance can begin to change.

It’s important to replace missing teeth as soon as you can in order to avoid these issues. Two main options to consider are a dental bridge or dental implant. Our guide to which of these treatments is best for you may help you decide…

How Does a Dental Bridge Work?

A dental bridge can be used to restore the structure and appearance of missing teeth. It can bridge the gap between individual teeth or several teeth. Dental bridges work by using the support of the surrounding natural teeth as a secure base. Using the latest innovations in dental technology, the dental bridge is carefully secured to fill any gap. A dental bridge helps by distributing the forces linked to biting and chewing evenly across the mouth. This can help prevent further damage or tooth loss.

The process requires a couple of visits to the dentist. First, your dentist will prepare the teeth on either side of the ‘gap’ by removing a tiny amount of enamel. Then, an impression of the teeth will be taken and sent to a dental lab. A bridge will then be custom-made to fit your mouth. While you wait for the final impressions, your dentist should offer you a temporary bridge to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums. Once ready, they will replace the temporary bridge with the permanent one.

When it comes to caring for a dental bridge, the main recommendations are similar to how we would care for natural teeth. It’s important to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. With proper care, a dental bridge can last for up to 10 years.

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

A dental implant is used to replace a missing tooth (or teeth). The procedure you need will depend on the number of teeth missing. At Ringway Dental, we offer all-on-four, all-on six and single tooth dental implants. The implant itself is a small, biocompatible, titanium root that is surgically placed into the jawbone. This artificial root fuses with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration, which creates a stable foundation for the replacement tooth to sit on. After a consultation and check up with your dentist, you can arrange your implant appointment.

The dental implant process can take several months from start to finish, as the procedure involves multiple appointments and a healing period. We recommend healing times of up to 12 weeks before having your final tooth fitted. Once your gums have healed and fused around the implant, your porcelain crown can be attached to the screw.

Which is Better, Dental Bridge or Dental Implant?

There is no ‘right or wrong’ answer, as the ideal treatment will depend on a few factors:

• Time – how long you are willing to wait for implants, or how much time you can dedicate to dental appointments.
• Finances – we offer 0% interest finance options!
• Number of teeth missing – if you are missing a couple of teeth in a certain area, a bridge may work best in terms of cost and comfort.
• Pre-existing medical or dental conditions – some patients prefer bridges, as medical conditions like diabetes mean implant procedures take longer to heal.
• Where the missing tooth is – gaps at the back of the mouth may be better suited to dental bridges.
• Personal preference

Dental implants involve surgical intervention, so they are more invasive than dental bridges. Bridges are completed in a much shorter timeframe, which may influence your decision. Taking time away from work to attend dental appointments can be tricky, and even mean you are ‘losing’ money in some cases. Dental bridges are more cost effective in terms of procedure fees too. The cost of a dental bridge begins at £1,200. Dental implants are more expensive due to the surgical procedure involved – from £2,200 per tooth.

The ideal treatment for you depends on a variety of factors. This means it is impossible to suggest which direction you should go in without first seeing your dentist.

Explore Dental Bridge or Implant Options with Ringway Dental

The best way to figure out which treatment is best for you is to discuss your options with your dentist. At Ringway Dental, we are proud of our role in ensuring our clients feel confident every day. We listen to our patients’ preferences and needs, working around them to best meet their schedules and expectations.

Our luxurious private dental surgery in Cheadle is ideally situated for patients throughout the Greater Manchester area. Alongside the smiles we provide, our hundreds of 5* reviews show just how much value we place on ensuring every patient receives the best possible outcomes from each and every treatment.

If you would like to book an initial appointment, contact the Ringway Dental team on 0161 437 2029. Alternatively, you can also request a call back via our online contact form.

Related Posts