One of the biggest dental problems is tooth loss. Patients who lose their teeth for various reasons have problems such as chewing, speaking and bad appearance. Fortunately, there are two different treatments we can offer you to compensate for tooth loss. They are dental bridge or implant treatments. Which one is better for you? Which one should you choose? Dental bridge or dental implant procedure? In this article, we share the pros and cons of both methods.
A dental bridge is a restorative dental treatment solution designed to close the gap left by tooth loss. The bridge fixes the denture teeth by attaching them to healthy gaps.
Bridge treatment is a multi-step process that requires multiple visits to the dentist. It is the most preferred tooth replacement method for the elimination of tooth loss. Dental bridge treatment can be applied for a single tooth gap as well as for multiple tooth cavities.
Dental bridge treatment is a multi-step process that requires multiple visits to the dentist. First, the dental professional injects local anesthesia into the gingival tissue surrounding the tooth near the bridge. Next, the dentist reshapes the teeth where the crowns will be placed. Crowns need to fit securely to hold the bridge.
When teeth are reshaped, a mold of the missing tooth and adjacent teeth is made. This mold is sent to the laboratory that will produce the bridge. Until the permanent bridge is ready, a temporary bridge can be used to fill the gaps.
The duration of use of the dental bridge varies. If the dental bridge is properly maintained, it can be used permanently for a lifetime. Depending on the care, the life of the dental bridge starts from 5 years and can last up to 20 years. In order to prolong the usage period, it is necessary to take care of the mouth, teeth and gums. Oral and dental care is holistic. Every step is important, from dental checkups to routine care.
A dental bridge is usually completed in 4 to 5 sessions. However, depending on the condition of our patients, it is also possible to complete the dental bridge application within 3 sessions. The main reason for the change in the number of dental bridge sessions is that everyone's mouth and jaw structure is different.
If you have a dental bridge in your mouth, you need to pay attention to your diet. In order for your dental bridges to be healthy and long-lasting, you should not consume some foods. Nuts, hard foods, very hot and very cold drinks are not good for your dental bridge. It is recommended not to chew gum and to avoid sticky foods and sugary snacks.
Our patients do not feel any pain during dental bridge treatment. The area is anesthetized with local anesthesia and then the treatment process begins. Since the teeth are filed in the bridge treatment, pain in the teeth and jaw structure is normal after the effect of local anesthesia is over. Dental bridge pain is often caused by stretching of the teeth.
Dental bridges are more affordable than implants. They are functional, reliable and predictable. Bridges may be partially covered by some dental insurance, most insurance plans do not cover implants. It does not take much time to heal because only minimally invasive dental procedures are required. The full procedure takes less time than dental implants.
Dental bridges need to be rebuilt to place the bridge if there are existing crowns on surrounding teeth. Additionally, gum disease treatment or root canal treatment may be needed if the nerves in the teeth are affected by the treatment. Regular maintenance is more important for dental bridges than for implants. Special devices will be needed to remove plaque. Finally, bridges are not as long-lasting as implants. You will need to change them later.
Implants are the best materials that can be used as an alternative to real teeth. It is the treatment option that best imitates the natural tooth in terms of both health and aesthetics in tooth loss.
The root implant is placed in the bone socket of the missing tooth. As the jawbone heals, the implant grows around the metal post and is securely attached to the jaw. The healing process can take 6 to 12 weeks.
After the implant is attached to the jawbone, a small connector called an abutment is attached to hold the crown securely. Next, we check your teeth and create a model of your teeth to make your crown. We fix the crown to the abutment and it will look like your natural teeth.
The relationship of the lower and upper jaws and teeth are examined with a detailed intraoral examination, conditions such as gums. The number of implants to be applied, their size and type, prostheses to be made on the implants and procedures such as bone grafting are determined by the joint work of the maxillofacial surgeon and dentist. In addition to classical radiographs, in complicated cases, the same size model of the jaw is obtained in a special device with 3D tomography, and the areas where the implants will be placed are planned with minimum error.
The operation is performed by our dentists together with dental professionals who have the necessary training in implants. The incision is made over the gingiva, and the slot where the implant will be placed is opened with appropriate instruments in the bone. The implant is placed in this cylindrical socket using special tools. The procedure may take an hour or more, depending on the number of implants to be applied.
After the implant is placed, it takes a certain amount of time to integrate with the bone. This period is 2 - 2.5 months for the lower jaw and 3 - 4 months for the upper jaw. During this period, a temporary prosthesis can be applied to the patient.
Implants are applied with local anesthesia like other dental treatments. However, in cases where the jawbone is not sufficient, the operation is performed comfortably under general anesthesia or sedation, or under hypnosis.
After the healing period is completed and the surrounding of the implant is completely filled with new bone and well adapted to the bone, the top of the implant is placed. The previously planned prosthesis is measured. The prosthesis can be made as a single crown, bridge, partial or full denture.
Pros: Implants are as functional, predictable and reliable as dental bridges. Aesthetically, they are similar to your natural teeth. They make you feel like your natural tooth because they are placed in your jaw. Implants do not affect your nearby teeth, so there is no risk of tooth decay or gum disease. It is extremely successful with a success rate of over 98%.
Cons: Implants are more expensive than dental bridges. Usually they are not covered by insurance. Implant treatment includes a minor surgical process. Therefore, it needs additional time.