Many patients visit our office looking to learn more about their options for replacing missing teeth, including dental restoration. If you are missing a full arch of teeth, we will likely recommend dentures or partials, part of the full mouth restoration near you options. Otherwise, single or multiple missing teeth can be restored with either dental implants or dental bridges.
Choosing Between Implants and Bridges: Number of Missing Teeth
It’s important to consider the number of teeth you are missing when selecting a restoration option. While dental implants are a great solution for replacing individual missing teeth, they may become less practical and more costly if you are missing several teeth in a row, as each implant requires its own surgical placement into the jawbone. In these cases, a dental bridge is often a more efficient and cost-effective option, since it can replace multiple consecutive teeth without the need for multiple surgeries.
Understanding your unique situation will help us recommend the most suitable treatment for restoring your smile.
Because we often recommend these two restorations to our patients, we want to help you better understand the differences between these two treatment options. Below is a breakdown of the similarities and differences between dental implants and dental bridges.
DENTAL IMPLANTS IN LAUREL, MD
Dr. Grigoryan often recommends dental implants because of their high patient satisfaction rating. Dental implants provide patients with various benefits that they simply wouldn’t get with other tooth restoration options. Because dental implants involve the surgical fusion of a titanium post into your jawbone, your dental implant will have tooth-root functionality once it heals.
This means you won’t have to worry about dietary restrictions or adding extra steps to your oral hygiene routine to maintain the dental implant. You get back 100% of your bite function with dental implants. Since the implant spurs jawbone regeneration, the fit stays and doesn’t need to be tweaked in the future. You also don’t get the other harmful effects that come with bone loss.
Even though dental implants have many benefits, it’s important to remember that this treatment option requires a surgical procedure. Your dental health will need to be in otherwise good standing to ensure that your implant will heal properly. Because dental implants require surgery and depend on your jawbone integrating with the titanium post, they may not be the best option for everyone. For example, patients with certain medical conditions that slow healing—such as diabetes or leukemia—may not be ideal candidates. The best candidates for dental implants are generally in good overall health, with healthy gums and a jawbone strong enough to support the implant.
It’s also important to note that dental implants tend to be the more expensive option for tooth replacement. However, many patients find the cost worth it because of the longevity this tooth restoration option offers compared to others.
Dental implants can also be used to support dentures and partials to allow a more secure and functional fit. It’s also important to note that dental implants tend to be the more expensive option for tooth replacement. However, many patients find the cost worth it because of the longevity this tooth restoration option offers compared to others.
What to Expect During the Dental Implant Process
If you’re considering dental implants, it’s helpful to understand how the procedure typically unfolds. The process generally begins with a minor surgical procedure in which a titanium post is placed precisely into your jawbone, serving as a sturdy foundation for your new tooth. In some cases, while your bone is healing and fusing with the implant—a process called osseointegration—your dentist may provide a temporary tooth replacement, so you won’t have to go without a full smile.
The healing period can range from about 2 to 6 months, depending on your unique case and how quickly your body bonds with the implant post. Once your jawbone has fully healed and securely integrated with the implant, Dr. Grigoryan will attach a custom-made dental crown to the post, completing your restoration so you can return to smiling, eating, and speaking with confidence.
Dental implants can also be used to support dentures and partials to allow a more secure and functional fit.
TIME COMMITMENT: DENTAL IMPLANTS VS. DENTAL BRIDGES
One of the main differences between dental implants and dental bridges is how much time you’ll need to invest before seeing your final results.
With dental bridges, the process is generally quick and straightforward. Most patients can expect to have their bridge placed in just two visits to our office, usually spaced a couple of weeks apart. After your initial appointment—where we prepare the supporting teeth and take impressions—you’ll return once your custom bridge is ready for placement.
Dental implants, on the other hand, require a bit more patience. The journey starts with surgically placing a titanium post into your jawbone, a process that is performed right here in our office. After that, there’s a healing period, typically lasting anywhere from two to six months, to allow the implant to properly fuse with your bone. During this time, a temporary restoration may be used so you’re never left without a smile, but the final crown isn’t attached until your body is ready. This longer timeline is important to keep in mind as you consider your tooth replacement options.
DENTAL BRIDGES IN LAUREL, MD
Dental bridges are a non-surgical tooth restoration option for patients seeking a minimally invasive approach to restorative dentistry. Because dental bridges rely on your surrounding teeth to support a prosthetic tooth, you do not need to worry about a surgical procedure with this treatment option.
Along with being minimally invasive, it is also the more affordable approach to tooth restoration. However, patients considering dental bridges need to be mindful of the special care that will be required to maintain this oral appliance. Because all of the hardware is on your dental structures exterior, dental bridges have some dietary restrictions to ensure that excessively chewy or crunchy foods do not damage your tooth restoration.
Using natural teeth as anchors also places more stress on these teeth. They’re more susceptible to tooth decay, and they wear down faster than the rest of your natural teeth. Often, we use dental crowns to help fortify these natural teeth. However, dental crowns require shaving down your teeth so that the dental crowns can be fitted properly.
Because the tooth root isn’t replaced, your jawbone continues to deteriorate while you have your bridge. The fit of it will change as the jawbone changes. You’ll most likely have to get your restoration readjusted or replaced at least once in the future so that its still functional for you.
Additionally, Dr. Grigoryan will need to instruct you on how to care for the dental bridge while brushing and flossing. Your typical oral hygiene routine will need to be altered to ensure that you are thoroughly cleaning beneath and around the dental bridge.
Insurance Coverage: Dental Implants vs. Dental Bridges
When it comes to dental insurance, most plans offer greater coverage for dental bridges than for implants. If you’re considering a bridge, you’ll find that insurance typically helps offset some of the costs involved—especially with traditional policies like those offered by Delta Dental or Cigna. This makes dental bridges a more budget-friendly option for many patients, as you’re less likely to be left with the entire bill.
On the other hand, dental implants are often classified by insurers as an elective or cosmetic procedure. As a result, it’s less common for dental insurance policies to cover the expenses related to implants—including the surgical placement of the implant itself and the follow-up restoration. Although there are exceptions, and some premium insurance plans may cover a portion of the procedure, most patients find that the out-of-pocket cost for dental implants is higher than for bridges.
It’s important to review your dental plan’s details or speak with your insurance provider directly so you have a clear understanding of what’s covered and what your financial responsibility might be. Additionally, our team at Laurel Smiles is always happy to help you navigate your benefits and estimate your portion of the costs before starting treatment.
Schedule An Appointment
If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, you have several options for restoring your smile, including dental implants near me and dental bridges. At Laurel Smiles, we do our best to make tooth replacement as easy as possible. Our goal is to help you achieve your dream smile while improving your overall dental health. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Grigoryan today, and he will review your tooth replacement options. We look forward to seeing you soon.