For patients who have recently lost one or more teeth, finding a good replacement option is a short-term necessity. If you leave the gaps in your teeth for too long, your other teeth will settle, which leads to misalignment due to the changed spacing. These effects can change your smile permanently. Choosing between dental implants and bridges quickly means preventing those changes and preserving your smile. Let’s take a look at the advantages of each choice.
Advantages of Implants
When you get implants from a dentist in Venice, FL, you can count on them being a permanent solution to your missing teeth. Sometimes individual replacement teeth need to be fixed because of a trauma, but the system for anchoring the implants makes them permanent as long as they are not damaged by unforeseen events. In addition to that, they are stronger than bridge work and more capable of weathering the kind of wear and tear teeth get over a lifetime. The porcelain replacements look natural, and recovery time is minimal.
Advantages of Bridge Work
Bridges do not require the placement of anchors, which is ideal for patients who can not safely undergo the surgical procedures necessary to put the implants in place. They cost a bit less than implants too, but they do not have the longevity. Bridge work lasts about 15 years and then it has to be replaced.
Which One to Get?
If you’re healthy and judged to be a good candidate for implants, they make a better long-term investment. The procedure is a minor surgery, but recovery times are short, and you won’t have to worry about changing your diet or wondering about how your smile might shift. On the other hand, there are times when you want to choose bridges:
- If your health rules you out as a candidate for implants
- If your insurance does not cover implants
- If periodontal disease or other factors might destabilize the tissue in your gums or jaw after implantation
For more information on dental implants in Venice, FL, contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Stanley. Our dentist is ready to help you determine which is the best option for you.