When it comes to replacing one or more teeth, many patients do not account for any effects their restorations can have. At the dental practice of Dr. Laura Randolph, our team provides patients with options for teeth replacement, including traditional bridges and implant restorations. We have created this guide to help patients understand the differences between their restoration options.
Cosmetic Appearance
One of the most important aspects of restorations is the appearance of their prosthetic. With the benefit of modern dental ceramics, both bridges and dental implants are able to mimic the appearance of natural teeth, providing patients with a nearly seamless smile.
While implant restorations are entirely supported by the implant posts, traditional bridges rely on crowns placed on the neighboring teeth for support. These traditional bridges can create an uncanny appearance in the smile, as each tooth is bonded together.
Longevity
Traditional bridges can generally be expected to last as long as the crowns that support them. While the longevity of a crown can vary, they are expected to last between 5 to 15 years with proper at-home and in-office hygiene. This restoration will require replacement if the prosthetic tooth, known as the pontic, breaks.
Implant posts can last a lifetime if properly cared for, and support long term jaw health. Implants act as roots of artificial teeth, preventing bone loss from missing teeth. Implants can be used to support a variety of restorations and rarely need to be replaced. While the restorations themselves may require replacement on a similar schedule to that of traditional bridges, this does not require continually reshaping the neighboring healthy teeth
Initial and Long Term Cost
Initially, bridges are a more cost effective solution for replacing a missing tooth. However, implants save patients money in the long run. These restorations allow for the placement of new prosthetics, when need, on the existing implant.
When seeking replacements for teeth through later in life, after years of wearing bridges, many patients find that they have experienced bone loss, requiring additional, costly grafting procedures to support restoration.
If you are missing one or more teeth and are looking to restore your smile, contact Dr. Laura Randolph today. We provide implant restorations as well as traditional bridges for patients throughout Ramsey and the neighboring communities.