Exploring Options for Tooth Replacement: Implants vs. Bridges vs. Dentures

Exploring Options for Tooth Replacement: Implants vs. Bridges vs. Dentures

Tooth loss affects both your smile and oral health, influencing your ability to eat, speak, and maintain jawbone strength. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers reliable tooth replacement options to restore both function and appearance. Dr. Matt Martin, Dr. Stephanie Martin, Dr. Lindsey Garrison, and Dr. Lynn Marshall are here to walk you through three effective choices: dental implants, bridges, and dentures.

1. Dental Implants

What Are Dental Implants? Dental implants are artificial roots made of titanium, surgically inserted into the jawbone to support crowns, bridges, or dentures. They closely resemble the look and feel of natural teeth.

Key Benefits:

• Durable: With good care, implants can last a lifetime.
• Support for Jawbone Health: Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss.
• Natural Look and Feel: They allow for natural eating and speaking, with low maintenance once healed.

Considerations:

• Implants require surgery and a longer healing period.
• They may be more costly initially but are cost-effective over time.

2. Dental Bridges

What Are Dental Bridges? Dental bridges “bridge” a gap from a missing tooth by anchoring to nearby teeth with crowns and filling the space with a false tooth.

Key Benefits:

• Non-Surgical: No surgery is required, so it’s a quicker process than implants.
• Affordable: Bridges are generally less costly upfront.
• Improves Smile & Alignment: They help prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into the gap.

Considerations:

• Requires reshaping of adjacent teeth to fit crowns.
• Bridges need replacement every 10-15 years, and they don’t support bone health like implants.

3. Dentures

What Are Dentures? Dentures are removable appliances designed to replace multiple missing teeth. They can be partial (for gaps) or full (for a full arch of missing teeth).

Key Benefits:

• Affordable: Dentures are often the most budget-friendly option.
• Non-Invasive: Dentures do not require surgery and can be customized for a natural look.

Considerations: 

• Dentures may slip, affecting comfort when eating or speaking.
• Without bone stimulation, jawbone loss may affect denture fit over time.
• Dentures require daily cleaning and may need periodic adjustments.

Which Option Is Right for You?

To help determine the best choice for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Matt Martin, Dr. Stephanie Martin, Dr. Lindsey Garrison, or Dr. Lynn Marshall. Together, we’ll discuss each option, your oral health, and personal needs to find the ideal solution for a restored smile and confidence. Contact us today to start your journey to a complete smile!