When it comes to replacing missing teeth, you’ve got more options than you may realize. One option is to leave the gap in your smile just the way it is, but that’s one option that you should avoid. Not only does it detract from your appearance, your confidence, and your ability to eat and speak naturally, it can also put your oral health at risk. As overwhelming as it can be to decide how to deal with your missing teeth to eliminate all those risks, your dentist in York is committed to giving you all the information you need to understand your choices.
Dental bridges are a very common solution for filling gaps left behind by multiple missing teeth. Even when it comes to dental bridges, you’ve got options that offer different advantages depending on your circumstances. To decide whether dental bridges are right for you — and what kind — you should discuss your needs and goals with a dentist in York. Here’s a checklist guide to traditional dental bridges and implant-supported bridges to help guide that discussion and to decide which solution is best for you.
The basics of traditional dental bridges
For decades, patients have opted for traditional dental bridges in York to deal with missing teeth. A traditional bridge holds an artificial tooth (or more than one depending on the size of the gap) between two healthy teeth that support that artificial tooth using crowns cemented in place.
The advantages of traditional dental bridges
- Getting fit with traditional dental bridges in York takes less time than your implant-supported option
- Traditional bridges are less expensive than implant-supported bridges
The disadvantages of traditional dental bridges
- The teeth on one or both sides of the gap will have to be healthy and structurally sound enough to hold a crown
- Those teeth will have to be altered by removing some enamel to accommodate a crown
- A crown-supported dental bridge will not prevent the loss of bone density in your jaw that happens as the result of persistent tooth loss
The basics of implant-supported dental bridges
Whereas a traditional bridge holds an artificial tooth between two natural teeth, an implant-supported bridge is held in place by implants placed directly into your jaw. A titanium post is placed into your jaw. After you’ve healed from the implant procedure, an abutment will be attached to that post and permanently connected to the bridge built up of your artificial teeth.
The advantages of implant-supported dental bridges
- None of your own natural teeth will need to be modified
- An implant doesn’t just replace the missing tooth, it also replaces the missing tooth’s root
- The titanium implant stimulates the growth of new bone tissue in your jaw
The disadvantages of implant-supported dental bridges
- Being fit with implant-supported dental bridges takes longer than to receive a traditional bridge. You’ll need to attend several appointments over the course of several months
- Implant-supported bridges are more expensive than a traditional bridge
- Certain medical conditions, including substandard bone density in your jaw, can rule you out as a candidate for dental implants
This introduction to traditional and implant-supported dental bridges may be helpful but is not enough for you to decide on your own whether a bridge is right for you and whether your best option is a traditional bridge or implant-supported bridge. To understand which option is right for you, you should carefully discuss your medical history and dental needs with a dentist near you. To arrange for a careful assessment of your condition and to get answers to all your questions about dental bridges, contact us for an appointment.