Implant-Retained Bridges vs. Dentures
Missing 2 or more teeth in a row?
There are many restorative oral care options that can help patients restore their missing teeth with today’s dental technology. Dental implants, implant-retained bridges and full or partial dentures can help restore the functionality and aesthetics of your teeth.
What is an Implant-Retained Bridge?
An implant-retained bridge is a restorative dental prosthetic that replaces a few consecutive missing teeth. This dental appliance works by fusing the needed replacement teeth to form a bridge that spans the gap created by the missing teeth. The bridge is then anchored to two dental implant posts on each end.
What is a Denture?
A denture is a removable plate or frame that holds one or more artificial teeth and is made to replace missing teeth. This prosthetic device is supported by the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity.
Why is an Implant-Retained Bridge a Better Dental Solution for Your Missing Teeth?
An implant-retained bridge is more permanent in nature as it is fixed or screwed to implant posts which can only be removed by a dentist. A denture, on the other hand, is removable.
Here are 4 good reasons why an implant-retained bridge is a better oral care solution for your missing teeth:
#1 Restores Dental Functionality
An implant-retained bridge is made to look and function like natural teeth. It provides better speaking and eating functionalities. With an implant-retained bridge, you no longer have to worry about your artificial teeth moving while talking or eating.
#2 Promotes Health Tooth and Gum Tissues
Implant-retained bridges can greatly improve your oral health. When you lose teeth or they get extracted, the jawbone may begin to deteriorate because there is no stimulus from the root of the teeth.
Implant posts are designed to work like natural tooth roots, thus, supplementing the needed stimuli to the jawbone. The stimulus provided by the implant posts helps maintain the tooth and gum tissue at an optimum level of health.
#3 Ensures Stability of Surrounding Structures
Implant-retained bridges ensure complete stability without placing pressure on surrounding tooth structures for support. Because implant-retained bridges do not depend on the surrounding teeth for support, alterations on natural teeth are not necessary. The adjacent teeth remain whole and healthy which, in turn, promotes good health on the gum tissues.
#4 Aesthetically Pleasing
Restorative dental devices like implant-retained bridges can vastly improve the aesthetics of your teeth. A dental prosthetic is made of medical grade materials that closely resemble the physical attributes of teeth. They even have the translucent and light-reflecting qualities of a tooth’s enamel.
The underlying bone in your gums starts to degenerate when your teeth have been missing for some time. This may cause changes in your jaw that may also affect the shape of your face. Implant-retained bridges prevent bone mass loss, which can help retain or enhance the shape of your face.
These are just 4 of the many reasons why an implant-retained bridge is a better option for your missing teeth. Your missing teeth shouldn’t affect your daily activities.
With proper oral care and hygiene, implant-retained bridges can provide a natural dental function for two decades or longer. Comparatively, dentures need to be replaced every five to ten years or whenever they are damaged.
With implant-retained bridges, you can eat the foods you love, speak easily, and smile confidently.
Contact us at 704-888-6247 to learn more about our implant-retained bridges and other restorative dental treatments. You may also book an appointment through our 24/7 online scheduling system.