Which is better: dental implants or dental bridges?
My father has lost a few teeth due to aging. I would like to ask, generally speaking, is dental implantation a better option or is dental restoration (such as bridges or dentures) more suitable?
Doctor's answer (1)
After tooth loss, both dental implants and dental bridges are common restorative options, each with advantages and disadvantages suitable for different individual situations.
Dental implants involve surgically placing an artificial tooth root into the upper or lower jawbone. After the implant integrates with the bone tissue, a crown is placed on top. Advantages include:
1. High stability, similar to natural teeth, with strong chewing function.
2. Does not affect adjacent teeth and eliminates the need to grind down surrounding healthy teeth.
3. Long-term results are excellent and with proper maintenance, implants can last for decades.
4. Helps prevent bone loss and supports overall oral health.
However, dental implants also have disadvantages:
1. Requires a surgical procedure with a recovery period.
2. Requires sufficient bone quality, making it unsuitable for all patients.
3. Relatively high cost.
Dental bridges involve creating a restoration supported by adjacent healthy teeth. Advantages include:
1. Suitable for patients who cannot undergo surgery or have poor bone quality.
2. Shorter treatment duration.
3. Generally lower cost compared to dental implants.
Disadvantages include:
1. May require grinding down adjacent teeth, potentially affecting their health.
2. Stability of the fixed bridge is not as good as that of dental implants.
3. In the long term, the burden on adjacent teeth may lead to complications.
The choice between these options should be made by a dentist based on the individual's oral health status, bone density, financial situation, and lifestyle.
