When you have a missing tooth, it can affect more than just your smile. You might notice a change in how you chew, talk, and even feel about your appearance. Our team at Cool Dental can help you explore excellent options to restore your smile, including 2 of the most popular: Dental bridges and dental implants.
Understanding the differences between them can help you feel confident about your next steps. The right choice for your smile restoration depends on your oral health, lifestyle, and long-term smile goals.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a structure that “bridges” the gap that a missing tooth leaves behind. It uses your neighbouring teeth as anchors for a replacement tooth that fills the empty space. The entire unit is then secured for a comfortable and stable fit.
How a Bridge Works
Our friendly dental team gently shapes the teeth on either side of the gap to prepare them for crowns. An impression is then taken to create your custom bridge. Once ready, your new bridge is fitted and bonded into place, helping to restore your smile’s look and function.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant replaces your entire missing tooth, from the root all the way up to the crown. It involves placing a small, medical-grade titanium post into your jawbone, which acts as a new tooth root, providing a strong foundation for a permanent crown.
How an Implant Works
After the post is placed, it needs time to join with your jawbone to create a strong base for your new tooth. Once your jaw has healed, a custom-made crown is attached to the post, giving you a new tooth that stands on its own without affecting its neighbours.
Pros & Cons: Bridges vs. Implants
Reasons to Choose a Bridge
- Faster process: You can often complete your treatment in just 2–3 appointments.
- Non-surgical: This option does not require a surgical procedure to place the bridge.
- Lower upfront cost: The initial investment for a bridge is often less than for an implant.
What to Consider with a Bridge
- Impact on adjacent teeth: Your healthy teeth on either side of the gap must be altered to support the bridge.
- Bone health: A bridge does not stimulate your jawbone, which can impact your bones over time.
- Lifespan: You may need to replace your bridge every 5 to 15 years, depending on your care routine.
Reasons to Choose an Implant
- Preserves natural teeth: Implants stand alone, so your other teeth remain untouched.
- Jawbone stimulation: The post acts like a natural root, which helps keep your jawbone strong and healthy.
- Durability: With proper care, your implant can last for a very long time.
What to Consider with an Implant
- Surgical procedure: The placement of the implant post involves a minor surgical procedure.
- Longer timeline: The full process takes several months to allow your jaw to heal before the final crown is placed.
- Requires healthy bone: You need enough healthy jawbone to successfully support the implant post.
Key Factors to Help You Decide
Choosing between a bridge and an implant comes down to your unique situation. Thinking about a few key things can help you prepare for a conversation with a dental professional.
Your Overall Oral Health
The health of your gums and jawbone is an important consideration. For an implant to be successful, you need a healthy foundation of bone. For a bridge, you need strong neighbouring teeth to act as supports.
Function & Daily Care Differences
You can expect to eat normally and confidently with both options. You can often care for an implant just like a natural tooth with simple brushing and flossing, sometimes with special cleaning tools. A bridge just requires a bit of extra attention to clean underneath it to keep your gums healthy.
Your Long-Term Smile Goals
Think about how each option fits into your future plans for your smile. An implant is a long-term solution that helps preserve your jaw structure. A bridge offers a faster solution that may need replacement down the road.
Talk with a Dentist in Lethbridge
A great way to know which choice is right for you is to have a conversation about your specific needs. At Cool Dental, our team takes the time to get to know you so that we can recommend an option tailored to you. Schedule an appointment today so we can talk about the restoration that can help you get back your most confident smile.
