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Dental Implant vs Bridge

This video shows you the differences between a bridge and a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, while reviewing the benefits and potential drawbacks of each.

Implants Replace Missing Teeth and Improve Oral Health

Despite advances in dental care, many people still experience tooth loss due to infection, decay, gum disease, or injury. While traditional options like bridges and dentures have long been used to replace missing teeth, implant restorations offer a modern, stable solution. By attaching a custom crown, bridge, or denture to a dental implant, we can restore the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth while supporting long-term oral health.

Learn More About Dental Implants at Celebrating Smiles

A dental implant is an artificial tooth, including the tooth root. An implant is anchored in the jawbone below the gum line, providing a strong foundation for the replacement tooth. Implants have the look and feel of natural teeth, allowing patients to regain confidence in their smile.

Artificial teeth for dental implants can be permanent or removable, and implants can support crowns, bridges, or dentures. Your dentist can discuss which type of implant is right for you.

A dental implant restoration is the visible portion of a dental implant that replaces a missing tooth. It typically includes a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture that is securely attached to an implant post, restoring the appearance and function of your natural teeth. Unlike the surgical placement of the implant itself, restoration focuses on designing and fitting the final tooth replacement for a comfortable, natural-looking result.

All-on-4 dental implants are a full-arch tooth replacement solution that restores an entire upper or lower set of teeth using just four strategically placed implants. These implants act as a stable foundation for a custom-made prosthetic, providing a secure, natural-looking alternative to traditional dentures.

At Celebrating Smiles, we specialize in restoring full smiles with this advanced treatment. Our team carefully plans and places the implants to ensure optimal support, then designs a custom restoration that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth. In many cases, patients can receive a temporary set of teeth the same day, followed by a final, long-lasting restoration after the healing process is complete.

Success rates of dental implants vary, depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed and the risk factors of the individual, but in general, implants have a success rate of up to 98%. With proper oral hygiene and management of risk factors, implants can last a lifetime.

The advantages of dental implants include:

  • Stability. Because the implant is anchored in the jawbone, it’s as stable as a natural tooth.
  • No bone loss. Preservation of jaw bone (implants are not guaranteed to prevent all bone loss). The implant enables your jaw to retain bone matter at the site of the lost tooth.
  • Balancing function: replacement of a missing tooth or teeth benefits all teeth in the mouth by way of distributing forces more evenly over all teeth over time
  • Improved oral health. Implants can be brushed and flossed like a natural tooth, allowing patients to maintain good oral health.
  • Appearance. Depending on the site of the lost tooth, a bridge may be noticeable to others, impacting self-confidence. An implant looks just like a natural tooth.
  • Durability. With proper care, implants are likely to last longer than bridges or dentures — possibly for life.

The disadvantages of implants include the following:

  • An invasive procedure. An implant requires dental surgery, where the gums are cut open at the site of the lost tooth, and a hole is drilled into the jawbone to hold the titanium post.
  • Longer healing time. An implant requires several visits to the dentist and several months of healing time between appointments.
  • Cost. Implants are more expensive than bridges or dentures and typically aren’t covered by most insurance plans.

Contact Us Today

Dental implants are state-of-the-art tooth replacements. If you have a missing, damaged, or decayed tooth, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We will be happy to discuss implant options with you.