Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants
Dental Bridge
A bridge could restore your smile if you have healthy remaining teeth surrounding a gap where a tooth is missing. A dental bridge consists of two crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to the space, with a false tooth (pontic) in between. Bridges are usually made of porcelain or ceramic, and the adjacent teeth support them.
Benefits of bridges to replace missing teeth include:
- They are generally less expensive than implants.
- They are easier to install than implants.
- Finally, they do not require surgery.
Drawbacks of bridges include:
- They are not as strong as implants.
- They require the natural tooth to be filed down.
- If one of the teeth supporting the bridge fails, then the entire bridge will fail
Dental Implant
Dental implants are dental prosthetics that offer a more permanent tooth replacement option and replace the entire tooth. A dental implant consists of a metal post placed in the jawbone, with a dental crown on top.
Dental implants are considered the most robust and durable option for replacing missing teeth. Implants can also be used in combination with a dental bridge to replace several natural teeth in a row without several implants. Implant-supported bridges are also more robust and more stable than traditional dental bridges.
Benefits of dental implants include:
- They are more robust than dental bridges.
- They are more stable than dental bridges.
- They do not require the surrounding teeth to be filed down.
Drawbacks of dental implants include:
- They are more expensive than dental bridges.
- They require surgery.
- They have a longer installation time than dental bridges.
What is the difference in cost between bridges and implants?
The cost of dental bridges and dental implants varies depending on the individual case. In general, implants are more expensive than dental bridges, and this is because dental implants require surgery, while bridges do not.
The cost of dental implants also depends on the number of implants needed. For example, a single dental implant may cost less than a bridge, but the overall cost may be higher if you need multiple implants to support a dental bridge.
Dental insurance may cover a portion of dental implants or bridges, but it is unlikely to cover the entire cost.
