If you're looking to replace your missing teeth, dental implants and dental bridges are both great options to consider. In today's blog our dentists at Hanin Dental Surrey share more about dental implants vs dental bridges, to help you decide which tooth replacement option is right for you.

Are you weighing up your options for replacing a number of missing side-by-side teeth? Dental implants or a dental bridge could help to restore the appearance and function of your smile. That said, each of these options has its pros and cons that should be considered before making a final decision.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a permanent, natural looking way to replace one or multiple missing teeth. The actual implant portion of a dental implant is a tiny titanium rod which is permanently implanted into the jawbone where the roots of the natural tooth used to be. Once dental implants have been placed and given sufficient time to heal, the implant can be topped with a crown, bridge or denture that is colour-matched to blend perfectly with your remaining natural teeth. 

Pros

Dental implants function much like real teeth and give your smile a natural appearance. When cared for properly, dental implants can last 25 years or more.

Cons

The dental implant process can be long, taking weeks or even months to complete. In some cases a bone graft will be required to strengthen their jawbone before the dental implants can be placed.

Dental Bridges - Pros & Cons

A dental bridge is a 'bridge' of artificial teeth which is attached to adjacent teeth (or to dental implants) on either side of the space where the missing teeth used to be. A dental bridge can be a great way to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. For those patients who have experienced deterioration in the jaw bones and gums since the natural teeth were lost, a dental bridge can be a less invasive tooth replacement option.

Pros

Even for patients who have experienced bone deterioration, no bone or gum grafting surgeries will be required in order to place a dental bridge. Having a dental bridge placed is faster and a much less invasive process than getting dental implants.

Cons

A dental bridge tends not to be as durable as dental implants are. If cared for properly, you can expect your dental bridge to last between 5-15 years. Also, teeth adjacent to the bridge may be more susceptible to tooth decay because the supporting teeth must be prepared by removing a large proportion of the enamel.