Dental Bridges: Implant-Support vs. Crown-Support
At Artistic Expressions Dentistry here in Doylestown, we offer a number of options for replacing missing teeth. Dental bridges are a great restorative dentistry solution for tooth loss, for instance, allowing a gap to be filled with beautiful, functional artificial teeth.
What are dental bridges?
Dental bridges are appliances that are designed to fill in a tooth gap when people are missing multiple teeth in a row. A traditional dental bridge is removable and is held in place by bracing around the natural remaining teeth that are adjacent to the tooth gap.
The types of dental bridges that we're considering in this blog post are ones that are fixed in place by other means that are much more secure and stable by comparison.
Using Dental Implants to Support Dental Bridges
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored into a patient's jawbone and gum tissue. These posts are able to support dental bridges as well as other kinds of appliances for people who are missing teeth (e.g., partial dentures, full dentures, dental crowns).
It should be noted that because of the oral surgery required to place dental implants, the healing process and overall treatment time does take several months. This amount of time allows the dental implants to fuse with the jawbone and the gums, which is a process known as osseointegration.
Benefits of Using Dental Implants to Support Dental Bridges
Dental implants provide a level of stability that is comparable to natural tooth roots, meaning that a dental bridge supported by dental implants is unlikely to slip or budge when in place. This type of security for a dental bridge is exceptional.
Dental implants are also able to prevent bone loss and gum recession from occurring in the tooth gap, which is a common side effect of tooth loss that affects overall dental wellness.
Using Dental Crowns to Support Dental Bridges
Dental crowns are caps that fit over a tooth in order to restore its overall strength and appearance. When used to support a dental bridge, the crowns are placed on either side of the bridge in order to hold the bridge in place. It may help to think of the crowns as bookends in this regard.
Benefits of Using Dental Crowns to Support Dental Bridges
Crown-supported dental bridges can be placed in much less time than implant-supported dental bridges and they offer a solid amount of support that allows patients to bite, chew, and smile with confidence.
Which option would be best for me?
There's no one right answer. While implant-supported dental bridges have many different benefits for overall health and aesthetics, some patients may prefer having crown-supported dental bridges, or our team may find that crown-supported dental bridges are more ideal given a patient's unique dental health situation. All of these matters can be considered in more detail during the consultation process at our practice.
Get More Information About Restorative Dental Care
To learn more about dental bridges and your many other options out there for replacing missing teeth, be sure to contact our comprehensive dental care center today. Dr. Bruce Wilderman and his team look forward to your visit and helping you have a beautiful and functional smile again.
