Lost a tooth? Don’t fret; though it may be uncomfortable and look unappealing for now, cosmetic dentistry has several options for tooth replacement like bridges, partial dentures or dental implants. For many dental patients, partial dentures aren’t a good choice due to their instability. You may have also heard of dental implants, which can be a wonderful solution for restoring lost teeth. How do dentures and implants compare to dental bridges? At Creative Dentistry & Medspa, we offer all three and believe dental bridges are still a viable, economical and visually-appealing option for tooth replacement.
Traditionally, dental bridges require the adjacent teeth to be crowned so that fixing the permanent bridge does not damage the surface of the existing teeth. Crowning the remaining teeth next to the bridge ensures that the bridge and prosthetic teeth stay in place for life, and the existing teeth stay healthy and secure.
Bridges vs. Dentures
If you’re missing just one tooth, a dental bridge will better suit your needs than getting a set of partial dentures. Especially if the remaining teeth are relatively healthy, aside from the missing tooth, there is little need for dentures. A fixed dental bridge will function better. Dentures can be fairly inconvenient when it comes to eating, speaking and oral care. In most cases, if a partial denture can be avoided, choosing an alternative option, like a dental bridge or implant, will usually suit the patient’s dental and lifestyle needs better.
Bridges vs. Implants
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement, but it is not the right option for every patient. Sometimes a patient isn’t the best candidate for dental implants. Depending on how long the tooth has been missing, the facial bones may have receded too much for implantation surgery to be possible without an additional bone graft surgery.
Not all patients are candidates for bone graft surgery, making a dental bridge the next best option. Luckily for these patients, bridges are much more affordable than dental implants, which rely on some of the latest technology and materials and are still one of the most expensive treatment options on the market today.
Is a Dental Bridge Right for You?
If you have a missing tooth that is affecting your appearance, a dental bridge can be an excellent choice. It is less expensive than a dental implant and more convenient than a partial denture. Before you decide which tooth replacement option is right for you, schedule a consultation with our dentist at Creative Dentistry & Medspa. We can explore all your tooth replacement options and discuss the different prices and procedures to help you determine which is best for your needs and budget. Contact our office in Sandy Springs, GA, to schedule your consultation with our cosmetic and restorative dentist.