Dental Bridge vs. Implants: Which is Better for You?
Contents
A beautiful and healthy smile is not only the prerogative of youth. Thanks to structures such as dental bridges and dental implants, aesthetics and functionality of the dental arch can be restored at any age.
What are these structures and in which cases are they best suited for tooth loss? We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of bridges and implants in this article. At the end of the article, we will also add a comparative table – dental bridge vs implant, so you can visually see the pros and cons of the structures and choose the perfect option for yourself.
What is Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a non-removable orthopedic structure used by dentists to replace a missing tooth in the dental arch. Structurally, a dental bridge looks like three dental crowns, solidly connected to each other. They are made of metal-ceramic or zirconia – the strongest and most aesthetic materials used in orthopedic dentistry at the moment.
How the bridge replaces a missing tooth:
So, as mentioned earlier, the bridge is a solid structure consisting of three dental crowns. The middle crown precisely replaces the missing tooth, while the outer crowns serve as “supports for the bridge.” They are fixed to adjacent healthy teeth.
Pros and Cons of Dental Bridges
Is a bridge better than an implant? This is the first question that interests patients when choosing the appropriate method for restoring a lost tooth. To give you a full understanding of the possibilities of dental bridges, let’s consider their advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Dental Bridges:
- Allow replacement of 1 or 2 missing teeth in the dental arch (provided they are adjacent). Otherwise, a bridge replaces only 1 missing tooth;
- Installed in two dental visits;
- Virtually no contraindications to installation;
- Suitable for installation at any age, even in young and elderly patients;
- Service life of 7-10 years.
Cons of Dental Bridges:
- Require pulpotomy and shaping of adjacent healthy teeth for prosthesis fixation;
- Require systemic professional cleaning;
- May be noticeable in the oral cavity, especially if made of metal-ceramic.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are non-removable orthopedic structures that brilliantly restore missing teeth and smile aesthetics. In fact, they are single constructions with a titanium post and an external dental crown. They are characterized by strength, durability, aesthetics, and are completely imperceptible in the oral cavity.
How the implant replaces a missing tooth:
The titanium post of the implant is fixed in the jawbone tissue instead of the missing tooth. After its integration, the external part of the structure is installed – the dental crown, which anatomically replicates the shape and color of the lost tooth.
Pros and Cons of Implants
Here are the pros and cons of implants that you should know before installation.
Pros of Implants:
- Installed precisely in place of missing teeth and do not affect adjacent healthy teeth in any way;
- Look beautiful.
- Aesthetically and functionally replace the lost tooth.
- Service life of 20-25 years.
Cons of Implants:
- Not suitable for installation before the age of 23, when the patient’s facial skeleton has not yet formed.
- In case of insufficient thickness and height of the jawbone tissue, additional procedures may be required – bone grafting. Only after this procedure, the implant post will be inserted into the bone.
- The cost of implants is higher than that of bridge structures.
Teeth Bridge vs Implant: What to Choose?
The difference between a bridge and an implant is quite significant. Each structure has its own unparalleled advantages. However, to help you make a decision more conveniently, let’s consider the key factors to consider when choosing an orthopedic structure for restoring the dental arch:
Budget
One of the most important factors influencing the choice is the cost of installing implants and dental bridges. In this battle, dental bridges are the obvious winner as they are cheaper than implants. As a result, most insurance policies can cover the installation of dental bridge structures, but implants may not be covered to the same extent.
Number of Missing Teeth
Should I get implants or a bridge? To answer this question, you should first determine how many missing teeth you have in the dental arch. Are there adjacent teeth missing? If you are missing 2-3 teeth in a row or more, then a dental bridge may not be an option for you. The only solution among non-removable prosthetics in such a clinical situation would be implants. They will need to be installed instead of each missing tooth to replace the lost teeth.
Age
There are no age-related contraindications for the installation of dental bridges. It’s a different story with implants. They are not installed in patients under 23 years old because their facial skeleton has not yet fully formed. In some cases, implants may also be contraindicated after 80 years old due to health-related risks.
Aesthetics
Dental implants look like healthy natural teeth. Their aesthetics far surpass that of dental bridges. This is especially noticeable when it comes to restoring a front tooth or teeth along the smile line.
Installation Duration
If you have no cavities or gum diseases, the installation of a dental bridge takes 2-3 visits to the prosthodontist. During the first session, the dentist performs pulp removal, prepares the teeth for prosthesis fixation, takes an impression for the dental technician to create the prosthesis, and places a temporary structure on the treated teeth. When the dental bridge is ready, the dentist invites you for an appointment to fix the bridge in place.
The process of implant installation takes a little longer. After the titanium implant post is integrated, it is necessary to wait for 4-6 months for the structure to heal. Only after this period, the external part – the dental crown, is fixed onto the implant.
Therefore, if you don’t have time for long-term treatment, dental bridges may be the optimal solution for you. If you want to have durable and aesthetic implants, it will require a bit more time. However, it’s worth every minute (and every dollar) spent.
Differences Between Bridge and Implant: Comparison Table
Is a bridge cheaper than an implant? What is the difference between bridge and implant? Our comparative table will help you find answers to these and other questions.
| Type of construction | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Dental Implants | Installed precisely in place of missing teeth and do not affect adjacent healthy teeth in any way.Look beautiful like natural healthy teeth.Ideal for restoring the dental arch, both along the smile line and for chewing teeth.Aesthetically and functionally replace the lost tooth.Service life of 20-25 years. | Not suitable for installation before the age of 23, when the patient’s facial skeleton has not yet fully formed.In case of insufficient thickness and height of the jawbone tissue, additional procedures such as bone grafting may be required. Only after this procedure, the implant post will be inserted into the bone.The cost of implants is higher than that of bridge structures. |
| Dental Bridges | Allow replacement of 1 tooth in the dental arch (provided there are healthy teeth on both sides).Installed in two dental visits.Virtually have no contraindications for installation.Suitable for installation at any age, even in young and elderly patients.Service life of 7-10 years. | Require pulpotomy and shaping of adjacent healthy teeth for prosthesis fixation.Require systemic professional cleaning, as food particles and plaque can accumulate underneath the structure.May be noticeable in the oral cavity, especially if the prosthesis is made of metal-ceramic.Are not suitable for installation along the smile line due to aesthetic considerations (if the crowns are made of metal-ceramic). |
We hope our material will help you make a decision in choosing between dental bridge vs implant. Come for a consultation at our clinic, and our team will be happy to discuss the possibilities of prosthetics and implantation in your case.
Dental Bridge vs. Implants: the Most Common Questions
Which is more expensive dental implant or bridge?
Implants are considered more expensive structures than dental bridges.
What last longer bridge or implant?
In the race for service longevity, implants have a significant advantage over bridges. The average service life of an implant is 20-25 years, while bridges, at best, last around 10 years.
Do implants look better than bridges?
Mostly yes. Implants tend to look more aesthetically pleasing than bridges. They fit snugly against the gum line and resemble healthy natural teeth. In this aspect, bridge structures lag behind implants.
Why is doctor prefer bridge over implant?
Which construction is optimal for a specific patient and case is determined by the dentist based on the clinical picture. Cases where the doctor prefers the installation of a bridge over an implant are very straightforward. The patient may have contraindications for implant placement, or there may be insufficient bone tissue for reliable fixation of the structure on the upper or lower jaw. In such cases, the doctor offers an alternative in the form of a dental bridge.
Additional Resources
Bridges – ADA, American Dental Association
Implants – ADA, American Dental Association
