Your smile makes an impact on the first impression people make. People who have a good smile with healthy white teeth tend to be perceived as smarter and successful. If you have missing teeth and use dentures, you will most likely feel tired of removing them. So, you may want to seek a more permanent tooth replacement option. Dental implants are a popular choice, but dental bridges may be a better option for a tooth replacement for some people. If you are seeking tooth replacement, you can visit a Bronx, NY dentist to help find out what option he or she has. On that note, you want to find out when dental bridges are a better choice than dental implants.
Implants vs. Bridges
Both dental implants and dental bridges serve to replace missing teeth. Each of these tooth replacement options, however, has its pros and cons. A dental implant procedure involves implanting a metal post or screw into an individual’s jaw, and a pontic or crown is placed atop the screw. A pontic mimics the appearance of a person’s natural tooth. With proper care, dental implants can last for more than 25 years.
On the flip side, a fixed dental bridge consists of several crowns. A dentist places two crowns on the two adjacent teeth to the missing one. An additional crown that serves as a replacement for the missing tooth is attached to the two crowns. Dental bridges do not require surgery, which is typical of dental implant placement. Also, dental bridges may last up to 20 years or even longer.
When dental bridges are a better choice
You will consider dental bridges over implants if you experience any of the following:
You have diabetes
A dental implant placed in a person with diabetes will be susceptible to failure compared to when placed in persons without diabetes. People with diabetes may have problems with wound healing. The wounds may also have an increased risk of getting infected. These situations can make an implant fail in people with diabetes.
You have periodontal disease
An individual who has gum disease needs to improve their gums before receiving dental implants. Diseased gums tend to harbor bacterial growth and can contribute to severe implant infection known as peri-implantitis. The infection can easily result in implant failure. People who have tough times getting rid of gum disease may want to consider dental bridges rather than implants. Dental bridges are not implanted into a person’s gum tissue, so they tend to be less affected by gum disease.
You are a smoker
Close to 20 percent of dental implants placed in individuals who smoke will fail. Cigarette smoking impairs blood supply to the gum tissue. This can cause a delay in the healing of surgical wounds that occur after a dental implant. With dental bridges, they do not create wounds, so smoking may not possibly affect their integrity.
These are some of the aspects that people seeking tooth replacement options need to consider. You want to discuss with your dentist about the procedure that suits you. You also want to follow the advice your dentist offers you.