Implants vs. Bridges: Which is right for you?

You’ve decided to take steps towards replacing your missing tooth and you know that you want something “permanent” as opposed to a removable partial denture or flipper but you are unsure about what all the options mean and what is right for you. At Melton Dental Group, we have 30 years of experience in replacing missing teeth and can give you options from partial dentures to implants. When it comes to a “permanent or non removable” option the choice comes down to using implants or bridges. Which one is the best for your situation? At Melton Dental Group we are happy to invite you in a complimentary, obligation free consult to discuss the options that would work specifically for you, just call us on 03 9743 4922 to make an appointment.

However here are some differences between implants and bridges and some things to consider when looking at your options:

Design

Bridges are a tried and true method that use two functional crowns placed over adjacent teeth to suspend a false crown between them. Implants are independent, made of a biocompatible “root” that sits within the jaw to support a fixed crown.

Impact on Adjacent Teeth

Implants stand independently of other teeth, making them non-invasive to the rest of your smile. Bridges require “capping” or crowning the adjacent teeth in order to support the restoration. That means if the neighbouring teeth are completely healthy, they must still be altered and have a crown placed over them. In this sense, implants are far less invasive to your teeth.

Health of the Bone

The health of your bone tissue and how much bone tissue you have in the area with the missing tooth will have some impact on which option may be available to you. If you don’t have enough bone to support or install a full-sized dental implant, then you may opt for a bridge or you may consider a bone graft for the additional support. These are all things that your experienced dentist at Melton Dental Group will be able to access and discuss with you at your initial appointment.

Long Term Maintenance

Most dental bridges — like crowns or caps — will last about 10 years (give or take a few.) After that, they’ll need to be replaced. On the other hand, dental implants tend to last the longest out of any type of restoration. Most last for the life of our patients.

Additionally, caring for implants is much like that of brushing and flossing your natural teeth. But a bridge will require extra tools and hygiene aids to clean underneath the restoration each day.

Still not certain which type of tooth replacement is best for your situation?

Contact Melton Dental Group today on 03 9743 4922 for a complimentary obligation free consultation. We’ve been serving Melton for over 27 years!