Implant or Bridge, Which is Healthier in Dental Treatment?

When tooth loss occurs, the two most common methods in the treatment process are implant and dental bridge applications. The choice between these applications is shaped according to the needs and budgets of the patients. However, both treatment methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Is an implant or bridge healthier? Let’s revisit the question and examine both methods in detail to answer it.

What is an Implant? What are the Advantages?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root placed in the jawbone to replace the lost tooth. This method offers the closest aesthetic and functional results to natural teeth. The advantages of an implant can be listed as follows:

• Protects and stimulates the jawbone: Implants protect the jawbone tissue and prevent bone resorption over time.
• Durable: Implants that can last for many years can be used for a lifetime with proper care.
• Does not damage neighboring teeth: Implants do not rely on neighboring teeth like bridges and do not require cutting other teeth. In this way, the natural structure of the teeth is preserved.

After the implant application, a procedure called immediate loading can be performed for some patients. This procedure is possible in cases where the implant is tightly integrated with the bone and provides rapid recovery of functions such as speaking and eating as well as aesthetic appearance.

What is a Dental Bridge? What are the Advantages?

A dental bridge is a prosthesis that relies on neighboring teeth to fill the gap of a lost tooth. The advantages of bridge treatment are as follows:

• It can be completed faster: Dental bridges are completed in a shorter time compared to implants.
• More cost-effective: It is a more economically affordable option than implants.

However, neighboring teeth need to be cut during bridge application. This weakens the structure of the neighboring teeth and shortens their lifespan. In addition, dental bridges do not function to protect the jawbone, so it would not be wrong to say that they can cause bone resorption over time.

By understanding these advantages, it becomes easier to answer the question of whether to choose an implant or bridge.

Is a Dental Bridge or Implant Healthier?

When choosing between these two methods, it would be better for you to choose a treatment that will protect your dental health in the long term. While the implant offers the closest solution to the natural tooth, the dental bridge is a fast and more economical option. However, in the long term, the advantages of the implant outweigh those of dental bridge treatment, especially in terms of jawbone health.

Your budget is also important when answering the question of implant or bridge. If your budget allows and your health condition is suitable, implant treatment would be a more precise and healthier choice. The preservation of the jawbone, the avoidance of cutting neighboring teeth, and the long lifespan of implants show that this method is a healthier solution.

Things to Consider When Choosing Between Implant and Bridge Treatments

In implant treatment, it is not always necessary to apply bone powder. If there is enough tissue in the jawbone, there may be no need to use bone powder. However, if bone loss has occurred, surgeons may opt for this method. The condition of the area where the implant will be placed should be carefully examined, and the treatment plan should be made accordingly by maxillofacial surgeons.

So, Implant or Bridge?

In conclusion, when answering the question of whether to choose an implant or bridge, evaluating both economic and health factors will lead to the best decision. Implant treatment is advantageous and healthy as a method that protects dental health better in the long term and offers an aesthetically natural appearance. Dental bridges, on the other hand, are a dental treatment method that gives faster results, is more economical but has disadvantages compared to implants.

It is up to the individual to decide between an implant or bridge. We have explained the details of implants and bridges in the simplest and most understandable way. We wish you healthy days.

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