Losing teeth can make people want their smiles back, and there are two main ways to restore them. You can choose between dental bridge vs implants. A dental bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth by attaching a false tooth to the natural teeth on each side. An implant involves placing a titanium screw in teeth and jawbone and topping it with a crown (replacement tooth). For multiple missing teeth, a dental implant bridge can replace them in a row. So, which option is right between dental bridge vs implants.
This blog will help you decide between dental implants vs bridge. Tooth loss is common and about 69% of adults 35-44 have lost at least one tooth, and by age 74, a quarter of Americans have lost all their teeth. So if you don’t want to end up like them, let’s talk about dental implant bridge and how it can save you. You will learn how to choose the best treatment for you.
What is Dental Implant?
Dental implants are a durable, long-term solution for missing teeth, involving a titanium post placed in the jawbone to support a crown, bridge, or denture. Unlike dental bridges, implants don’t need surrounding teeth to be altered, and they avoid the hassle of removable dentures. Though implants require a time-intensive process and may need bone grafting if jawbone density is low, they offer a stable, natural-looking result that can last decades with proper care, making them a cost-effective choice over time despite the higher upfront cost.
What is Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth by attaching a false tooth to nearby teeth. It’s made to look like your natural teeth and usually takes two dentist visits to put in place. With good care, a dental bridge can last between 5 to 15 years. It helps you chew and speak better and keeps other teeth from moving into the empty space, though it might need to be replaced after some time.
Difference Between Dental Implants vs Bridge
Here is a complete list of differences between dental implants vs bridge and how dental implant bridge will impact on your oral health.
Aspect | Dental Implant | Dental Bridge |
| Definition | Artificial tooth root, usually made from titanium, inserted into the jawbone. A crown or bridge is placed on top. | False tooth (pontic) held in place by crowns on the surrounding natural teeth. |
| Materials Used | Titanium (for the implant) and porcelain or ceramic (for the crown). | Porcelain, plastic, or metal alloys for the false tooth and surrounding crowns. |
| Procedure Type | Requires surgery to insert an implant into the jawbone, followed by crown placement. | Without surgery, the crowns are placed over the adjacent natural teeth to hold the pontic in place. |
| Time to Complete | 2 to 6 months, as healing is required for the jawbone to support the implant. | Typically 2 visits over a few weeks. |
| Durability | Can last 15 years or more with proper care. | Typically lasts 5-7 years, although can last longer with proper care. |
| Insurance Coverage | Less likely to be covered. | More likely to be covered by insurance. |
| Longevity | Long-lasting and in most of the cases, permanent. | Needs to be replaced every 5 to 7 years. |
| Suitability for Multiple Missing Teeth | Requires individual implants for each missing tooth, making it more expensive for multiple teeth. | More suitable for multiple consecutive missing teeth, as it covers several gaps with one bridge. |
| Aesthetic Appearance | Highly natural-looking, especially when using porcelain crowns. | Generally natural-looking, but may lose appearance over time. |
| Maintenance | Requires regular maintenance but still it doesn’t damage surrounding teeth. | Can lead to tooth decay in surrounding teeth so it requires regular cleaning. |
| Surgical Risk | Involves risks associated with surgery, such as infections or complications. | No surgery involved, making it a lower-risk option. |
| Impact on Surrounding Teeth | Does not affect surrounding teeth. | Can damage or require alteration of surrounding healthy teeth. |
| Best for Health Conditions | Requires a healthy jawbone and overall good health for successful implantation. | Suitable for patients without sufficient jawbone for implants. |
| Best for Multiple Missing Teeth | More costly and less practical for multiple missing teeth. | Better option for replacing multiple missing teeth in a row. |
| Follow-up Visits | Multiple visits over several months for surgery, healing, and final crown placement. | Normally, two visits for fitting and adjustments. |
Dental Implant Pros and Cons
Now that you have learned all the differences between dental bridge vs implants, let’s learn about the good and bad sides of dental implant bridge.
Pros | Cons |
| Long-lasting: Can last 15 years or more, sometimes a lifetime. | Time-Consuming: The process takes several months, with healing time of 2-6 months. |
| Natural Appearance: Mimics the size, shape, and color of natural teeth. | High Upfront Cost: Typically costs between $3,000 and $4,500 per tooth. |
| No Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Does not require altering healthy teeth. | Need for Adequate Bone: Sufficient bone density is required and maybe bone grafting too depending on the patient |
| High Success Rate: About 97% success rate after 10 years. | Not Suitable for Everyone: People with certain health conditions (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes) may not be candidates. |
Dental Bridge Pros and Cons
We’ve thoroughly discussed the pros and cons of dental implants and other information related to dental bridge vs implants. Below is a list of pros and cons of dental bridges.
Pros | Cons |
| Cost-Effective: Typically lower upfront cost than implants. | Shorter Lifespan: Typically lasts 5-7 years, although some can last over 10 years. |
| No Surgery Needed: No surgical procedure required, making it less invasive. | Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Requires altering the adjacent teeth for support, which can weaken them over time. |
| Quick Procedure: The procedure can be completed in just two visits over a couple of weeks. | Cavities and Tooth Decay: More prone to cavities and decay in the surrounding teeth compared to implants. |
| No Bone Density Requirement: No need for sufficient bone mass like implants. | Cannot Prevent Bone Loss: Does not address or prevent bone loss in the jaw. Also, the procedure may weaken healthy teeth around the gap over time. |
Procedure of Dental Implant
If you have picked this treatment between bridge vs dental implants, the following is the process you will undergo. Though the process takes time and multiple steps, the result is a natural-looking, permanent replacement that restores both your smile and bite.
1. Consultation and Evaluation
Before anything begins, you’ll meet with your dentist or prosthodontist for a consultation. They’ll review your medical and dental history. They will take X-rays of your jaw and teeth to check the condition of your mouth and check if there’s enough bone for the implant. Sometimes, a CT scan is done to get a more detailed view of your jawbone.
2. Bone Grafting (If Necessary)
If your jaw doesn’t have enough bone to hold the implant, your dentist may recommend a bone graft. This procedure involves adding bone material (either from another part of your body or synthetic bone) to the area where the implant will be placed. This step can take a few months to heal before proceeding to the implant itself. Perhaps you can think of it as a hurdle that comes along when you pick this treatment option between bridge vs dental implants.
3. Surgical Insertion of the Implant
Once your jaw is ready, your dentist will make a small incision in your gum tissue to expose the bone. A small hole is then drilled into the jawbone, and the titanium implant screw in teeth. The gum tissue is stitched up over the implant, and you’ll begin the healing process. This may take several months (usually 3-6 months) for the bone to fuse with the implant in a process called osseointegration.
4. Healing Period
During the healing period, the titanium implant will fuse with your jawbone, creating a strong foundation for the new tooth. This step can take a couple of months, but it’s important for the long-term success of the implant.
5. Abutment Placement
After the healing period, you’ll return to your dentist for the second phase of the procedure. They will make a small incision in your gum to expose the implant. Then attach an abutment, which is a small connector piece, to the implant. The abutment will hold the crown (the artificial tooth) in place.
6. Creating the Crown
Once the abutment is in place, your dentist will take impressions of your mouth to create a custom crown that fits perfectly on the abutment. They make the crown using durable materials. Most commonly they use porcelain to create a crown. These crowns resemble real teeth.
7. Crown Placement
Once the artificial tooth is ready, the dentist carefully attaches it to the abutment. The method they use to attach depends on the patient. Dentists usually go cementing it or have it screwed onto the abutment to give you a new tooth.
Procedure of Dental Bridge
After choosing this option between dental implants vs dental bridge, this is the process you will undergo. The dentist bridge process typically takes a few weeks, with two main visits: one for preparation and another for the final placement.
1. Examine Your Teeth
Dentists will take a look at your condition of your teeth, gums and bite alignment to find out if a dentist bridge is the right solution. If okay, your dentist will do further visual inspection and X-rays. After going through your medical history, he will suggest to you a type of bridge (traditional, cantilever, Maryland, or implant-supported) that suits your needs.
2. Create Treatment Plan
Traditional bridges are best if you have healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. If you have a gap with only one healthy adjacent tooth, Cantilever bridges are better. But if the missing tooth is in the front and the adjacent teeth are in good condition, you should go with Maryland bridges. After finding out the type of bridge, Dentist will take detailed impressions of your mouth to suggest you the perfect bridge.
3. Prepare Your Tooth
Dentists use local anesthesia to numb the area where the bridge will be placed. For a traditional or cantilever bridge, they will first reshape your teeth by removing a layer of enamel to make the crown support the bridge. This is done using specialized dental tools to create space for the crowns. Finally, they will send your impressions to the lab to fabricate the bridge.
4. Make Temporary Bridge
The temporary bridge is made up of acrylic or any other good composite material. The dentist will place it to cover the reshaped abutment teeth and fill in the gap left by the missing tooth. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene to avoid plaque buildup after this treatment. You would need to stop eating sticky foods which perhaps is a con of selecting this treatment between bridge vs dental implants.
5. Lab Work for Bridge Fabrication
The impressions your dentist took will be sent to a dental laboratory, where skilled technicians create your permanent bridge. This can take a lot of weeks. For an implant-supported bridge, the implants need to heal and integrate with your jawbone before any further step.
6. Final Visit for Bridge Placement
At the follow-up appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary bridge to check the fit of the permanent one. The dentist will first try on the new bridge to make sure it fits properly. If it fits perfectly, the dentist will permanently secure the bridge using dental cement or bonding agents.
7. Final Adjustments and Cementing
Once the bridge is in place, the dentist will see if your bite is comfortable, and if the color and appearance of the bridge is correct. After making all the adjustments, he will permanently cement the bridge in place.
Cost of Dental Implant
The cost of dental implants in Dubai typically ranges between AED 4,500 and AED 8,500 for a single tooth bridge, depending on factors such as the type of implant, diagnostic tests, and any additional treatments like bone grafting. Many clinics offer transparent pricing and flexible financing options, ensuring accessibility for patients seeking long-lasting tooth replacement solutions.
You can choose this treatment when the doctor presents the two options to you i.e., dental implants vs dental bridge, if you want a complete treatment. Complete packages often include consultations, X-rays, implant placement, and post-procedure care, making dental implants a reliable and convenient investment for restoring oral health and functionality.
Cost of Dental Bridge
Dental bridges in the UAE typically cost between AED 899 and AED 1,500 for single tooth bridge. It depends on factors such as the type of bridge, materials used, and the number of teeth being replaced. This type of dental implant bridge process is made to restore the functionality and appearance of missing teeth, offering a long-lasting and natural-looking solution.
You can choose this treatment when the doctor presents the two options to you i.e., dental implants vs dental bridge, if you want a quick treatment. The cost often includes assessments, diagnostic tests like X-rays, temporary bridges, follow-up consultations, and any necessary adjustments to check comfort and fit. It’s the cheaper option between dental implants vs bridge.
Conclusion
Now you know everything about dental implants vs bridge. Put simply, dental implants are more suitable for people who want a long-term, natural solution without damaging their surrounding teeth and who can afford the higher upfront cost and surgery. Dental Bridges are a more affordable and quicker solution, ideal for replacing multiple missing teeth in a row and for patients who may not qualify for implants due to insufficient bone density.
So there’s no pick between dental implants vs bridge. It depends on your goals and what kind of treatment you want. Whether you’re looking for a dental implant or a dental bridge, reach out to CMC Abu Dhabi medical center. The experts in our dental clinic in Abu Dhabi will look at your condition and tell you which treatment is perfect for you and do that for you.
FAQs
Is it better to have an implant or a bridge?
If you want long term results, go for an implant. If you want a quick treatment that comes along with a shorter recovery time, go for a bridge.
What lasts longer, bridge or implant?
Dental implants usually last up to 15 years. The bridge, on the other hand, lasts up to 7 years.
What is the downside of dental implants?
You might get oral infections, gum recession, and nerve damage as you undergo the surgery.
Can I switch from bridge to implant?
When you lose a tooth, the bone under it starts to shrink. This bone is needed to hold an implant. If you got a bridge recently, you might still be able to get an implant without adding more bone.
Do dental bridges look natural?
Yes. Dental bridge is a solution that gives you a natural tooth look after your tooth loss.
Are dental implants painful?
No, it doesn’t cost pain.
Do dental implants feel natural?
It’s not a complete alternative to your natural tooth as you get slight sensations from pressure, heat and cold in your gum surroundings. But apparently, it looks natural.
How many teeth can be on an implant bridge?
Up to 3 teeth in a row.
Are bridge implants painful?
Dentists use anesthesia to numb the area before the treat. That’s why it doesn’t cost any pain.
What happens if a dental bridge fails?
If yours is failing, you might replace it with a new one. However, a dental implant or implant-supported bridge could be a better option. You can contact CMC for getting this treatment.
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