Dental Implants vs Bridges
Still confused to decide between dental implant and a fixed bridge to replace missing teeth? Read on..
Understanding the procedure:
A Dental implant is a titanium fixture that resembles a tooth root and is anchored in the bone where the missing tooth once stood. A crown is placed on the implant once it fuses with the bone (a process called osseointegeration)
A fixed bridge is the most common alternative to dental implant for replacing 1-2 teeth. A bridge uses two or more surrounding teeth to support the crown that replaces the missing tooth. The treatment process however permanently alters the adjacent teeth to support the bridge. The bridge does not stimulate natural bone growth beneath it, so the bone may deteriorate over time. Fixed bridges may fail after 5-10 years as flossing beneath it is difficult making it susceptible to gum disease and decay.
Are you viable for a dental implant?
Children and adolescents with growing teeth and jaw are not entirely viable for the treatment unless in exceptional circumstances.
The implant dentist assess the integrity of the bone using various diagnostic measures whether the structure is strong enough to support the dental implant. If inadequate, the dentist may consider performing a specialized procedure like bone grafting, sinus lift, etc.
Unhealthy or infected gums can cause the dental implant to be weak and ultimately dislodge following infection
The cost of Implant vs Bridge:
Cost is a major factor in deciding the treatment. A single implant may cost anywhere between Rs. 25,000 to 50,000 depending upon the brand and type of implant used, the dentist performing the procedure and the technique performed. Alternatively, a dental bridge may cost significantly less, in the range of Rs. 7,000 to 30,000 depending upon the material used.
A dental bridge is likely to last between 8 to 10 years before it must be replaced. If cared for properly, an implant can last 40 years or longer.
So an implant might cost you more time and money in the short term, but over the lifetime of your smile, it may actually save you both. Although implants tend to be slightly more expensive than bridges, they tend to be far more durable than and long lasting.
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For the best dental implant treatment, you can visit Dr Bari Dental Clinic – Laser & Implant Centre. We offer brilliant dental implant surgery with a large variety of options. Dr Bari Dental Clinic is headed by Dr Pranjal Aditya Bari, MDS in Prosthodontics & Implantology and Fellow in Oral Implantology. She is an ex-Research Scholar at Showa University, Tokyo and currently a part time PhD scholar in Prosthodontics at St. George Government Dental College, Mumbai.
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