Losing teeth can happen for many different reasons. Age plays a big factor, injuries, gum disease, and poor dental care do too. When you lose a tooth, you will want to make sure that you get a replacement for it. This will help to ensure that your facial shape stays the same. Plus, you do not have to worry about any difficulties with speaking and eating. The most common ways to replace teeth are with a dental bridge or implant.
Dental bridges use porcelain or plastic and will match your missing teeth. Your own teeth hold these in place. A bridge can cover several missing teeth, or only one missing tooth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It uses titanium and is then put in the jawbone with screws. This helps to hold a crown or bridge in place. There are pros and cons to both options.
Dental Bridges Pros and Cons
There are many advantages to deciding to go with dental bridges. Most of the time, your insurance covers dental bridges and the associated procedures. Plus, dental bridges do not need any invasive surgery or bone grafting. Bridges often are more cost-effective than dental implants. Bridges also usually only take two visits with your dentist.
There are also some disadvantages of getting dental bridges. Bridges will need a replacement every five to seven years. In some cases, some will last more than ten years. Cavities can occur more often in surrounding teeth. Bridges can also damage the healthy teeth that are surrounding the missing tooth. As they age, the bridges will lose their appearance.
The Pros and Cons of Implants
With implants there are some major advantages. Implants can last up to 15 years and will keep their natural-looking appearance as you age. There will be no damage to the healthy teeth around the implant and implants have a very high success rate.
There are some common disadvantages you need to be aware of as well. The first is that insurance is less likely to cover these. Also, the entire dental implant process can take up to six months. The cost can be much higher than other options. Plus, there can be surgical complications in some people.
Other Options
If you do not want implants or dentures, you can choose to get partial dentures. These work like regular dentures, and you can remove them when needed. You can also choose to get a space maintainer, which will keep your other teeth in the right position.
How Do You Choose
To choose what would work best for you, you will want to consider a few things. Look into cost, time, insurance help, how many teeth you need replaced, and how long you want to wait. This is different for every person.
CALL US TODAY
If you have missing teeth, please contact us at Magnolia Dental. We can help you to decide if you should choose implants or a bridge. Let us help you get a smile that you love!
