Do you have missing teeth? If you do or if you’re facing tooth loss, you may be faced with a variety of replacements to choose from. You may have heard two options get tossed around specifically: dental implants in Meriden and dental bridges. But which one is better for you and your individual tooth loss issue? Let’s explore the pros and cons of each to help you make an educated decision.
First, why is it important to replace missing teeth?
There are many ways that you may end up facing tooth loss face to face. Besides the embarrassing sagging facial appearance that has a heavy aging effect, missing teeth can severely affect the rest of your dental and systematic health. You can lose the strength in your jawbone, leave your body susceptible to infections and dangerous bacteria, and risk losing surrounding teeth or at the very least have them shift to the incorrect places.
Dental Implants
When you think of a dental implant, think of an anchor. Anchors hold things in place. In dentistry, a dental implant is a surgically implanted anchor into your jaw. That doesn’t sound too inviting to most patients. Considering the situation, it’s the best option to permanently restore your smile. A period will pass where your body is adjusting to the implant post and fusing it with your jawbone. After that phase, either Dr. Chimmiri or Dr. Blackwell will place your abutment and attach the best dental prosthetic that’s best for you.
Pros of Dental Implants
- The maintenance of dental implants is minimal compared to other dental prosthetics because they act as natural teeth.
- Our dental implants are built to last a lifetime.
- They protect your jawbone and stimulate new growth.
- Replaces both parts of the tooth: the root and the crown.
Cons of Dental Implants
- You will be required to undergo oral surgery to have your implant posts placed.
- The process takes longer than one office visit, and up to several months to heal.
- The cost of dental implants varies depending on your dental issue’s level of severity.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a series of dental crowns that can be used to replace missing teeth. Multiple dental crowns are attached together to create the bridge. By being cemented to natural surrounding teeth, a dental bridge in Meriden can restore your missing teeth.
Pros of Dental Bridges
- Getting bridges placed include a non-surgical procedure that’s much quicker than that of dental implants.
- You can expect to only visit the dentist for your bridges over the course of a few weeks for dental bridges.
- Dental bridges are a very affordable option compared to other dental prosthetics.
Cons of Dental Bridges
- Dental bridges aren’t as natural looking as dental implants.
- You will need to periodically replace your dental bridges every few years.
- Your dentist will need to alter the neighboring teeth to have your bridge placed.
Choosing Your Dental Prosthetic
Making the decision to replace your teeth is already a step in the right direction. Choosing the prosthetic is the hard part. If you’re still unsure of which option is best for you, reach out to our office today to schedule a consultation and speak to one of our dentists. Ask them about combining dental bridges and dental implants as well to replace multiple consecutive teeth. We can’t wait to speak to you!