Your Camrose Invisalign® Provider
What is a dental bridge?
Dental bridges are fixed dental appliances that bridge the gap that is left by missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth or several different missing teeth in a row. Bridges are normally composed of two dental crowns, one for each tooth on either side of the gap, and the false tooth or teeth that fill the space between.
How do I know which type of tooth replacement to choose?
Every dental restoration and tooth replacement comes with different pros and cons. Based on several different factors, including your needs, your budget and your lifestyle, your dentist will recommend an appropriate tooth replacement for you.
Dental Bridges or Dental Implants?
Dental bridges and dental implants both are long-term solutions for missing teeth. One important difference between the two is that dental bridges typically need to be replaced after 5 to 15 years, while dental implants can last quite a bit longer than that.
With all of that being said, dental bridges are significantly less invasive than dental implants (which are surgically placed). They also require a much shorter recovery time. In most cases, as well, dental implants are more expensive than bridges and are less likely to be covered through your insurance.
Dental Bridges or Dentures?
The primary difference between dental bridges and dentures is that dentures are removable, while bridges are permanently fixed into place on your surrounding teeth and are difficult to remove.
Most of the time, a dental bridge will be recommended when there are only a few missing teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth.
Dental bridges tend to be a little more costly than partial dentures, but both tooth replacement options are covered by most dental insurance plans.
Why replace missing teeth?
A wide variety of dental health issues can arise when missing teeth aren't promptly replaced. It can make chewing and speaking difficult and, over time, the teeth around the gap can shift out of position, making the problem even worse. Additionally, your jaw's structures may begin to deteriorate around the missing teeth, causing facial collapse.
Bridges, implants and dentures are all different solutions that can all help you avoid these issues. They all fill the space left by missing teeth, prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting, and help preserve your ability to chew and speak.