When it comes to your dental health, you want to ensure that you’re doing everything to preserve it. Unfortunately, things like cavities, missing teeth, and broken or rotting teeth can happen to anyone. Whether you have one tooth that needs fixing or several that are in a state of disrepair, there are ways you can keep your smile healthy.
When dentists offer you the option of either dental implants or a bridge as the best way to protect your smile and maintain your oral health moving forward, how do you know which is better for you? Which is better for your oral health?
That’s a question with several answers. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each to decide which would be more beneficial for your lifestyle and chewing habits moving forward.
What is A Dental Implant?
It is a small piece of titanium surgically placed into the jawbone. The titanium acts as the foundation for an artificial tooth. An artificial tooth can be attached over the top of the
titanium post to give the appearance of an ordinary tooth. In some cases, the implant can also be used instead of an entire missing jawbone if it was removed due to injury or cancer.
The implant comprises two parts: the metal base and the connector. The connector attaches to the top of your tooth, and the metal base serves as an anchor and foundation for the artificial tooth or crown that will rest on it. The bottom of the base contains threads that match those found in your jawbone.
A dentist will first make an incision in your gum where they plan to place the connector, then slide it into place. The hole in your gum will be closed with sutures or tissue glue, and you can expect some soreness after this brief procedure. Once healed, you will have a sturdy foundation for an artificial tooth or crown attached to your new implant.
What are the Dental Implants Pros and Cons?
They are an increasingly popular solution for replacing missing teeth, but like any dental procedure, they have advantages and drawbacks. Here are some advantages and drawbacks of teeth implants:
Pros:
- Improved aesthetics: Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth, creating an appealing and natural-looking appearance. Custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of existing teeth perfectly, they make an excellent addition to any smile.
- Comfort: Implants provide increased comfort by being permanently embedded into your jawbone, eliminating the discomfort caused by removable dentures. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth so you can eat, speak, and smile proudly.
- Durability and longevity: Teeth implants can last a lifetime with proper care. It is constructed from durable materials like titanium that resist decay while withstanding chewing forces and biting pressures.
- Preserve adjacent teeth: Unlike traditional dental bridges, teeth implants do not depend on neighboring teeth for support, meaning their integrity remains undamaged by being altered or used as anchors for the implant.
- Improved Oral Health: Dental implants don’t necessitate the reduction of adjacent teeth like dental bridges do, helping maintain overall oral health and integrity of natural teeth.
Cons:
- Cost: Dental implants cost, in most cases, more than alternative tooth replacement options, such as dentures or bridges. The price depends on factors like how many implants are required, additional procedures, such as bone grafting, and the clinic’s location.
- Time-consuming process: Typically, establishing dental implants takes multiple appointments over several months due to the need to fuse with the jawbone through osseointegration before its permanent crown is placed.
- Invasive procedure: Implant placement requires oral surgery, including drilling holes into the jawbone. Although generally safe, implant placement could pose risks such as infection or other complications.
- Painful procedure: The dental implant process can be quite painful but can vary from person to person. Discomfort and some pain are expected during and after the procedure. Most patients report that the implant pain level is manageable and well-controlled with appropriate pain management techniques.
- Not be appropriate for everyone: Some medical conditions, including uncontrolled diabetes and active gum disease, could impede the success of dental implants. Furthermore, smoking may hinder healing processes and increase the risk of implant failure.
It is important to check with a certified dentist or oral surgeon before you decide if the dental implant is right for you. The specialists can offer advice based on factors like oral health, overall wellness, and spec fic requirements.
If you need to know whether the implants are the right option for you, HayatMed Clinic offers a free consultation on WhatsApp or contact us by filling out the form.
Dental Implants Before and After
What is a Dental Bridge?
It is a tooth-shaped structure that fills the gap left when one or more teeth are removed. It is cemented between two teeth on either side of the gap and is made from natural tooth material that blends in with neighboring teeth to create a natural-looking appearance.
The teeth bridge can be placed over an existing tooth or supported by implants.
The dental bridge procedure involves removing any current decay, preparing the teeth and gums, attaching anchor posts to the jaw bone, and finally adding the false tooth. The dentist then polishes the bridge to ensure smoothness and comfort while providing its color matches the surrounding teeth as closely as possible.
What are the Dental bridge Pros and Cons?
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of bridges:
Pros:
- Restores Function: Teeth bridges can help restore missing teeth to restore function and eating ability by replacing missing ones with artificial ones that match perfectly.
- Aesthetics: Bridges can blend seamlessly into your natural smile for improved aesthetics and overall improvement of appearance.
- Short Timeframe: Compared with other tooth replacement solutions, such as implants, bridges typically can be completed more quickly. Also, a dental bridge remains fixed in your mouth without needing to be removed for cleaning and maintenance like dentures.
- Stability: Bridges provide stability by being secured to adjacent teeth and filling gaps left by missing teeth. They help preserve facial structure by filling any resulting voids in your smile.
Cons:
- Requires healthy adjacent teeth: Dental bridges depend on strong neighboring teeth for support to set one; these must be strong enough to hold their weight without needing additional preparation of those adjacent teeth.
- Permanent Alterations: Preparing adjacent teeth requires cutting away some enamel to accommodate a bridge, an alteration that cannot be reversed and could weaken them over time.
- Possibilities for Damage: Over time, the supporting teeth attached to a bridge could come under additional strain, potentially leading to decay or gum disease complications.
- Difficult to Clean: Maintaining a dental bridge requires special care and techniques when cleaning it properly, including regular brushing and flossing and additional tools such as floss threaders or interdental brushes that may help clean beneath its bridge.
- Risks associated with gum recession: Improper oral hygiene or excessive cleaning force can result in gum recession around a bridge.
- Limited lifespan: The teeth bridge typically lasts five to fifteen years before needing replacement. In comparison, the implant could last lifelong if it receives proper care.
Best Dental Implants price in Turkey
Packages include all medical fees, accommodation, airport transfers, and personal host.
Are you a candidate for a dental implant or bridge?
Before you decide which choice is right for you, you need to consult a dental specialist who can assess your dental situation and recommend the most suitable solution.
Here are a few factors that may help determine if you may qualify as a candidate for either:
- Healthy Jawbone: The implants require sufficient jawbone health to anchor them securely. If you have experienced significant bone loss due to periodontal disease, trauma, or another cause, a bone graft may be required before implant placement; alternatively, a bridge might provide better support without depending on jawbone loss for support as much.
- Missing Teeth: Dental implant is generally recommended to replace one or multiple missing teeth if their surrounding ones are healthy. However, bridges may also provide a suitable way of filling gaps and restoring both bite and appearance.
- Oral Health: Maintaining good oral health is paramount for the success of dental implants and bridges. Your dentist will evaluate the condition of your remaining teeth, gums, and oral health to identify an ideal treatment option. Significant dental issues, such as gum disease or decay, must first be resolved before considering restorative solutions.
- Treatment Preferences: Your personal preferences and lifestyle can also affect the decision. Dental implants provide more permanent solutions with an organic look and feel but require individual placement and osseointegration, which can take several months. On the other hand, bridges are generally installed within a week or less.
- Long-Term Outcome: The implants are well-known for their durability and long-term success, lasting as much as 20-25 years with the right care and maintenance. In contrast, bridges may also last 05 -10 years.
Dental Implant Cost Vs. Bridge Cost
Cost estimates for dental implants and bridges depend on several variables, such as:
- The individual case
- The clinic location
- Dentist experience,
- The used materials.
However, implants usually cost more than bridges.
The implant cost typically includes both the surgery to place them and subsequent restoration with crowns attached to each implant.
Getting dental implants in Istanbul is a fantastic option for those wishing to receive a high-quality experience and save money. Turkey is home to some of the top dentists globally, and they will ensure that you are treated with care and are provided with the radiant smile you deserve.
A single dental implant cost in Turkey typically ranges from $400 -$900.
While the dental bridge cost tends to be lower than implants, it ranges between $600-$1400, which is determined according to the number of teeth, which is 3 teeth a minimum and 14 a maximum.
When considering dental implant costs, remember that it offers several advantages over dental bridges regarding aesthetics, durability, and long-term oral health benefits.
To obtain an accurate cost estimate for your case, contact us by WhatsApp or contact us by filling out the form.
Read also: Cost Of All-On-4 Dental Implants
Conclusion
Both dental implants and dental bridges are excellent for missing teeth. Both have advantages and disadvantages. A choice that is right for one patient does not necessarily mean it is suitable for another.
Before deciding, you should find an experienced dental specialist to help you pick the option that will work best for your problem.