Implants vs Bridges & Dentures
Platte City, MO
 When you lose a tooth, replacing it should be a priority in order to restore the aesthetics and functionality of your smile, as well as to keep the rest of your teeth aligned. Replacing your missing teeth will also help maintain your facial anatomy, so you will avoid problems when chewing and speaking. The three most popular options to treat tooth loss are implants, bridges, and dentures. At Platte Valley Dental Care, we want to help you understand which would be the best option for your specific case.
Dentures: The Good and the Bad
Dentures are removable pieces that attach to the soft tissues in your mouth. Whether complete or partial, they are ultimately the most economical solution for tooth loss. With a denture, you will be able to eat and speak correctly, and its aesthetic benefit is considerably good, despite the fact that certain parts of it will be visible when smiling.
They are also a good option if you have missing teeth at the back of your oral cavity. That said, while some patients find dentures very comfortable, others have a hard time adjusting as they can move around and feel a bit heavy.
Dental Bridges: Pros and Cons
A bridge is made by attaching a set of crowns, usually made of porcelain, to teeth that are adjacent to the space left by a missing tooth. They are a permanent solution for tooth loss, and they look quite natural. They are especially good if you have missing teeth on only one side of your mouth. One of the disadvantages of dental bridges is that the rest of your teeth must be in optimal health in order for them to safely support them.
The Two Sides of Dental Implants
Dental implants are a crown fixed by a screw to your jawbone, helping to maintain the structure of your face. Unlike bridges, dental implants do not require healthy adjacent teeth. In order to be a candidate for an implant, you only need a strong enough jawbone that can safely support it. In case your jawbone has deteriorated or experienced resorption over time, you can always go for a bone graft in order to recover its original density.
When you get an implant, it will stay permanently in place. They are versatile, so they can be used to replace a single tooth or the entire denture. They also provide as much pressure as a natural tooth would, thus being capable of maintaining your jawbone healthy, unlike bridges and dentures. The only downside is that, out of the three options mentioned, they are the most expensive.
Out of all the options, dental implants have the highest chance of being covered by insurance, but it all depends on the plan you have. If cost is not an issue for you and you are in optimal general health, dental implants are the winners, as they keep the rest of your teeth and jawbone in good condition and are permanent replacements for missing teeth. Our specialists at Platte Valley Dental Care are waiting to evaluate your case and determine the best option for you. Please call us at (816)858-2027 in order to book your appointment today.
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