Dental Implants v. Dentures & Bridges

The next step is to read through this side-by-side comparison of the three most popular treatment options for replacing teeth dentures, bridges, and dental implants. This information is intended to help our patients decide which replacement option might work best. All names have been modified to protect the privacy of our patients.

1. Dentures

Steve is 60-year-old male patient who replaced his missing teeth with removable dentures. Steve chose dentures because he lost half of his upper arch of teeth in a bicycle accident.

Steve’s tooth replacement selection consists of an arch of replacement teeth anchored into a base of moldable plastic that matches his gum tissue.

Benefits

Dentures are a great tooth replacement option for patients:

• Looking for an affordable option that’s easy to get
• Wanting a custom set of dentures tailored to their unique bite
• Seeking a tooth replacement solution that’s made in just a few weeks
• Wanting improved functionality without surgery or altering the structure of surrounding teeth

Drawbacks

Although Steve enjoys his new smile, he admits that there’s a few disadvantages to dentures:

• Dentures can be uncomfortable sometimes
• They look less natural than other tooth replacement options
• They don’t stop bone deterioration, which occurs when teeth are missing over many years
• Dentures can result in a sunken facial appearance and premature wrinkles
• Sometimes patients may have difficulty speaking and chewing

2. Dental Bridges

Carmen is a 34-year-old female patient who chose a bridge as her tooth restoration option. She was missing two front teeth, so the bridge was permanently attached to her surrounding teeth.

Once her procedure was initiated, her adjacent natural teeth were filed down to provide space for the two replacement teeth. To get started, her natural teeth needed to be free from decay and structurally sound.

Benefits

Carmen did a lot of comparison shopping before she made her tooth replacement selection. She chose her treatment because:

• Bridges are less expensive than other restoration options
• No surgery is required
• New prosthetic teeth are installed faster than other treatments
• Bridges offer less risk since parts could be replaced without significant pain or effort

Drawbacks

According to Carmen, there’s a few downsides to her bridge:

• This option isn’t reversible — Once natural teeth are ground down for anchors to a dental bridge, they can never be normal again
• This process could increase future risk of decay or root canal treatment

3. Dental Implants

Norman is a 57-year-old male patient with several teeth missing after suffering from issues with gum disease when he was younger. After doing research on his options, he discovered that dental implants were the gold standard of care in tooth replacement.

His option was based upon a foundation of titanium roots that were permanently connected to his jawbone. Once this part healed, the pieces fused with his jawbone to make for a strong and permanent anchor for his natural-looking replacement teeth.

Benefits

Norman loves his dental implants because:

• They’re a permanent solution to missing teeth
• They look natural and function just like real teeth
• It’s the only tooth replacement option that can reduce or eliminate jawbone deterioration — Norman’s jaw muscles can stay strong, supple, and functional
• Dental implants don’t need extra maintenance
• They can be maintained with daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental exams

Drawbacks

There aren’t many, but dental implants have a few drawbacks:

• Typically, implants aren’t fully covered by dental insurance
• The implant process can be long, compared to other options completed in short weeks
• Dental implants require multiple visits over the course of three to six months
• Supplementary procedures like bone grafts and tissue augmentation may be required

However, on the whole, Norman loves his treatment choice and insists that he only wishes he had gotten dental implants sooner.