How Do Dental Implants Compare?

It seems like dentures and dental bridges have long been the go-to treatments for missing teeth. This is because these treatments offer quick and affordable restorations. However, these treatments are not known for being comfortable or reliable. It is partially for this reason that patients have rapidly begun to embrace dental implants as their treatment of choice. Because dental implants are fused to your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, they are capable of providing a quality of treatment that wasn’t previously possible.

We receive many patients here at Christie Park Dental who are unsure of what differences separate dental implants from these other, more established treatments. We encourage you to read on as Dr. Andre Hughes breaks down the differences that set dental implants apart from these other treatments.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Dentures used to be the pinnacle of tooth restoration technology, especially for those patients who are suffering from a complete arch of missing teeth. Dentures are devices that are molded to fit the arch of your smile. However, dentures can require a messy adhesive in order to have any chance of staying in their correct position. Without this adhesive, your dentures have a high chance of sliding out of place and can even fall out of your mouth if you are not careful. Even with this adhesive, there is still a possibility that your treatment will not stay in place. Dentures also need to be removed every night and soaked in a cleaning solution. While some people like the accessibility of dentures, having to constantly purchase adhesives and cleaning tools for them can be frustrating. Even with all of this extra work involved, dentures typically only last seven years before they will need to be replaced.

Dental implants offer a lot of different improvements over dentures. For instance, because dental implants are directly fused to your jawbone, they should never get loose or move out of place. And, they require no additional products to ensure that they offer this level of reliability. Once they are in place, they are in place for good. This fusion also makes it so that dental implants require no additional maintenance to stay healthy. You will merely need to brush and floss them just like you would real teeth. Additionally, your dental implants have the potential to last far longer than your dentures would. With the right care, your implants can last you the rest of your lifetime.

Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges

Another common treatment we can perform for missing teeth is a dental bridge. A dental bridge is made up of a crown supported by two other crowns that have been connected to the remaining teeth bordering your missing tooth. Unfortunately, in order for a dental bridge to work, the teeth surrounding your missing teeth have to be filed down so that the crowns can properly fit over them. This is an irreversible alteration and, should you need your bridge removed, you will be stuck with teeth that have not only been cosmetically altered, but have also been made defenseless to dangerous oral conditions. In fact, because these teeth have had enamel removed from them, they are especially prone to tooth decay, which can cause you problems even if the tooth is covered with a crown. Much like dentures, dental bridges also typically last about seven years before they will need to be replaced.

Dental implants are made from titanium and then topped with porcelain crowns. Both of these materials have the benefit of being immune to conditions like tooth decay. While it is true that dental bridges can be administered in only a few weeks, with dental implants taking four to six months, the fact is that the quality available with dental bridges cannot match that of implants. Not only will your dental implants last longer than your bridge, but the comfort and stability they offer far surpass dental bridges.

Find the Best Treatment for Your Needs

For some patients, dentures and dental bridges may prove to be better for their particular needs. However, the only way to tell for sure is to attend a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Andre Hughes at his Toronto, ON area office. If you would like to schedule your own dental implant consultation, please contact our office today.