Should I Get a Dental Implant or a Dental Bridge?

A dental implant and a bridge are two permanent ways to fill a missing space in your mouth, but even though they serve the same purpose, the procedures are fairly different. Here, we’ll look at the basics of both, and whether it makes sense to get an implant or a bridge.

Dental Implants

A dental implant mimics your real tooth: a dentist in Jacksonville, FL will place a metal post near the jawbone, wait for it to fuse to your bone, and then use an abutment to attach a permanent crown. Because the root of the implant starts below the gumline, implants are nearly as embedded as your original tooth.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge can vary based on the patient, but the general practice is to use your surrounding teeth to secure an artificial crown. Unlike partial dentures, which you’ll need to remove to clean, a dental bridge is a permanent artificial crown that’s cemented by two partial crowns on either side of the false tooth.

Which One Is Better?

Usually, dentists will recommend dental implants in Jacksonville, FL over dental bridges because they’re considered a more durable option. Dental bridges rely on your surrounding teeth, putting more pressure on them to pick up the slack, while a dental implant can stand on its own. However, a dentist may recommend a bridge if your gums or jaws can’t support the metal post.

If you want to learn more about dental implants, including the average healing times for each patient, contact Mandarin Dentistry today. Not only can we help you weigh the costs against the rewards, we can support your journey from start to finish.