Dentures To Implant Bridge
Almost 70 percent of Americans aged between 35 to 44 years in the United States have at least one missing tooth. For many years, dentures have been the solution, in case of several missing or badly damaged teeth. However, teeth restoration has come a long way in the past three decades.
At Tualatin Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, a dental implant-supported bridge is one of the technologies helping people enjoy optimum oral health and function again. As compared to dentures, implant bridges are a much better alternative.
WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANT BRIDGES?
An implant-retained bridge is similar to a regular dental bridge, except for the fact that it is supported by implants rather than by adjacent natural teeth. In most cases, one implant is placed in the jawbone in place of each missing tooth and topped with a crown, all connected to form a bridge. In cases when a full arch of teeth is compromised, your jawbone is embedded with 4 or 6 implants, which support a bridge holding crowns.
BENEFITS OF IMPLANT BRIDGES OVER DENTURES
Implant bridges have several benefits over regular dentures:
- Aesthetics: Dental implant bridges are the best option when you have multiple missing teeth and want your replacement teeth to look exactly like your natural teeth. Implant bridges help you restore your self-confidence and esteem.
- Comfort: Dental implant bridges feel like natural teeth and are much more comfortable than regular dentures. They are very secure and allow a person to speak and chew with ease. Implant bridges also eliminate the annoying wobbles and clicks of regular dentures and are extremely secure. They also do not require messy glues to stay in place like dentures.
- Jaw Density: When teeth fall out, the density of the jaw decreases over time. This can change your mouth’s appearance, impacting your smile and oral functions. Since dental implants are embedded into your jawbone, they fuse with the bone structure and prevent bone resorption and gum recession that accompanies regular dentures.
- Function: Since dental implant bridges function like your normal teeth, you can even chew tough and hard foods, like meat and apples, if you have these restorations. Dentures do not provide optimum chewing function, and many people who wear regular dentures have to forego several types of food because of difficulty in chewing.
- Caring for Your Prostheses: Regular dentures need to be removed every night and soaked in cool water or denture-cleaning solution, which contains harsh chemicals. They must also be brushed daily to remove them of plaque and bacteria. Dentures may lose their shape if they are put in hot water. They can also break if they fall. In contrast, dental implant bridges are fixed prostheses, which do not need to be removed. They also only require regular home oral care, just like your natural teeth.
- Durability: Implant bridges are much durable than dentures and can last for over 20 years, provided you give them adequate oral care. In contrast, dentures can become warped, bent, and crack more easily from pressure.
- Success Rate: Clinical studies show that implants have a success rate of over 95%. Hence, they are an excellent option for tooth restoration.
If you are missing several of your natural teeth, dental implant bridges may be a good option for you. Implant-supported bridges are more secure and comfortable and allow you to chew food easily. However, there are a few considerations to take into account when getting implant bridges.
Dr. Emerson Rowley, DMD can examine your mouth and medical history and determine whether you are a viable candidate for the procedure. Call us at (503) 878-7474 to schedule an appointment with us.