Should I Get a Bridge or an Implant?

Dealing with tooth loss can be difficult. Fortunately, there have never been more options available to fix your smile and improve your oral health if you’re missing one or more teeth. Dental implants and bridges are two options that can have you smiling with confidence again, whether your tooth loss is recent or you’ve been living with missing teeth for years.

At the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry, our prosthodontist Dr. Ramin Mahallati and our dental team offer cosmetic and restorative dentistry services at our office in Beverly Hills, California.

How to choose between a bridge or dental implants

Choosing the right dental restoration is one of the most important choices for your oral health. In addition to the cosmetic issues, tooth loss poses a risk to your health, affecting everything from your nutrition to your ability to speak clearly. Even a single missing tooth can affect your smile and impact your health.

So how do you choose the right tooth replacement option? Keep reading to learn more about bridges and dental implants.

How dental bridges work

A dental bridge is a relatively quick and affordable option. A bridge consists of at least one artificial tooth held in place by two crowns or a ceramic frame. 

Bridges can replace one or more missing teeth, and you can choose from a range of materials like porcelain, resin, or a metal fusion.

Bridges address many of the major problems that come along with tooth loss. They improve your smile, restore your ability to chew, improve your speech, and keep your teeth from shifting. Anyone can get a dental bridge, and it generally doesn't require invasive dental work.

Bridges can last for several years with adequate care but may have to be replaced over time.

Dental implants explained

Implants of a titanium rod that replaces the root of a missing tooth and an oral prosthetic that attaches to it. One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is that they prevent jawbone loss and lower your risk of gum disease and other oral health issues. 

The implant is surgically placed in the socket of the missing tooth, where it fuses with the surrounding bone tissue. Once it heals, the crown is attached to the implant and functions much like a natural tooth. The process can take a few months, and implants aren’t a good choice for everyone. To qualify for implants, you must be in good general health and have enough bone density to support the implant. 

Implants can replace a single tooth or support a bridge or set of dentures. Dental implants are a long term solution to tooth loss and have a very high success rate with adequate follow up dental care and good oral hygiene practices.

Choose the right dental restoration for you

At your consultation, Dr. Mahallati and our dental team will help you choose the best dental restoration for your lifestyle and oral health needs. Even if a bridge or dental implant isn’t right for you, there are plenty of other options to improve your oral health. 

For more information about dental implants and other cosmetic and restorative dentistry options available at the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry, contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mahallati, or book your appointment online.