Missing teeth: Dental Bridge vs. Dental Implants

For patients who have missing teeth, a periodontist can help you determine if you’re a candidate for a dental bridge or if a dental implant is better for you. Dr. Christopher Walker explains the advantages and disadvantages to dental bridge and dental implants here.

From Dr. Christopher Walker:

“Missing teeth can cause a number of different problems. Including bite collapse. Where patients lose dimension that can lead to creasing in the corner of their lips. Or if you’re missing a single tooth you can experience “tooth drift” into that space that may cause crowding and difficulty in replacing that tooth in the future.

So, if you’re missing a tooth a lot of times the two main fixed options (or options that will stay in place and don’t come in and out) are 1. Dental Bridges or 2. Dental Implants.

Advantages to a Dental Bridge:

1. Bridges have been used successfully for decades to replace missing teeth, if you have a tooth in front of and behind the tooth that is missing.
2. You can avoid dental surgery.

Drawbacks to a Dental Bridge

1. The inability to floss, or clean bridges.
2. Food gets trapped because of the inability to floss.
3. Risk of possible cavities underneath the bridge
4. The neighboring teeth must remain healthy and cavity free, or the bridge will fail.

However, dental implants are free-standing tooth replacements that are not susceptible to cavities.

Advantages to a Dental Implant:

1. Not susceptible to cavities.
2. Can last a long time, if maintained properly.
3. No need for a natural tooth on both sides.
4. Many attachments make it possible to be used in the future if you have other missing teeth, like implant dentures.

If you’re missing a tooth, or if you’re wondering what might be specific to your clinical situation, come on in for a consultation. We’d be happy to chat with you about your dental options that would fit your needs.

Alamo Heights Implant Center is located in Alamo Heights, San Antonio, TX 78209. Dr. Christopher Walker and his team treat patients from Alamo Heights, Terrell Heights, Olmos Park, The Dominion, & Downtown San Antonio. Specializing in dental implants, gum surgery, gummy smile reconstruction, bone grafting, sinus lifts, and botox.