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When a tooth is lost to decay, an accident, or a deep crack, you have two options for replacing it: a dental bridge or a dental implant. A bridge is a one-piece construction that fits over the teeth adjacent to your gap, while a dental implant replaces the root of your lost tooth. After an implant has healed and integrated with the jaw bone, a crown can be attached to replace the tooth. Unfortunately, many patients choose to get a dental bridge because it is faster, easier, and less expensive. However, there are several reasons why you should consider a dental implant instead. Dental Implants are Free-Standing Since an implant and crown combination replaces the whole tooth, root to crown, it is an independent construction. It neither relies on other teeth for stability, nor is it affected by what happens to other teeth. The same can’t be said of a dental bridge. A bridge construction uses the teeth next to the gap to support a prosthetic tooth. This means that if either of those teeth should need restoration in the future (a root canal or filling), the whole bridge must come down. A new bridge may be possible after the tooth has been restored There is also something to be said for leaving healthy teeth alone. If you choose to get a bridge, a certain amount of tooth enamel has to be removed from the teeth in order to hold the bridge. This usually doesn’t result in any problems for those teeth, but consider what would happen if one of those teeth became infected. if the bridge should happen to come down in the future, you may wish you had kept those teeth intact. Once enamel is removed, the tooth must always be crowned. An implant, on the other hand, does not affect your remaining teeth in any way. Dental Implants Preserve Bone Mass A curious thing happens when teeth are removed from the jaw. Over time, your body stops sending the minerals and nutrients needed to support healthy bone tissue in the jaw. This is called jawbone resorption and it happens 100 percent of the time. You can see this effect in long-time denture-wearers, who often look like their jaw has been shrunken from its original size. The only thing that has been proven to prevent jawbone resorption is the presence of a dental implant. Because an implant replaces the tooth root, it tricks your body into thinking there is still a healthy tooth there. Jawbone resorption is not nearly as noticeable when you’ve only lost one tooth—but it does happen. If you get a dental bridge, you will notice after many years that the space between the prosthetic tooth and your gum tissue gets larger and larger. The bridge will sit directly on top of the gums at first, but over time, the gum tissue will get lower as the jawbone recedes at the site of the lost tooth. Dental Implants Last Longer Even perfectly constructed dental bridges on (perfectly healthy teeth) have a finite lifespan. Bridges last about 8-10 years on average. So if you are comparing the cost of dental implants vs. bridges—keep in mind that you’ll have to have the whole thing remade and reattached every decade or so. Dental implants cost more initially, but they almost never need to be replaced. When properly placed and properly cared for, dental implants have a 98-99 percent success rate. Why is this? When an implant heals in your jaw, it becomes a permanent part of your jaw bone. The crown atop the implant may crack and need to be replaced if you misuse it, but the implant is there for good. Many Factors to Consider As a surgical procedure, dental implant placement is most certainly more complex than getting a dental bridge. If you have medical conditions that affect your body’s ability to heal and generate new tissues, then you may not be a good candidate for implants. If you’ve been without the tooth for many years, you may need bone grafting in order for an implant to be placed. There are many factors to consider when looking at tooth replacement options, so don’t try to make the decision alone. Get in touch with a good oral surgeon or implant specialist to help you get the facts before you decide. Make sure you weigh each option carefully, and explore your financing options before you make a decision. After all, your tooth replacement is going to affect you for the rest of your life. Dr. Christopher Tye is a dual degreed oral surgeon and dentist, who routinely provides dental implants to patients in Colleyville, Keller, and Grapevine TX. Learn more about dental implants with Texas Oral Surgery Specialists.
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