Long-Term Benefits of Dental Implants Compared to Dental Bridges

A dental implant or bridge can fill a gap left in the smile by a missing tooth. While a periodontist may combine these tooth replacements, implants on their own are sometimes best suited to the patient’s oral needs. Reading up on the long-term benefits of implants can help you better understand when they would be the clear choice for your oral health.

Understanding dental implants and bridges

Dental implants are titanium posts that a periodontist surgically places in the jawbone to mimic tooth roots. After the implant integrates with the jawbone, the periodontist places a replacement tooth on top of it. Typically, this is a dental crown made to look and function like a natural tooth. Together, the implant and crown create a tooth replacement that restores the smile, enhances bite function, and engages the jawbone to keep it strong.

A dental bridge can also utilize crowns. However, there is no artificial tooth root with a bridge. Instead, the bridge framework replaces missing teeth with a false tooth called a pontic that sits above the gums and is fastened by crowns (e.g., traditional bridge) or wings (e.g., Maryland bridge) cemented on adjacent natural teeth. These crowns may also be fastened to dental implants, effectively replacing gaps left by two or more missing teeth in a row. These are known as implant-supported bridges.

Long-term benefits: Dental implants vs. bridges

Both dental implants and bridges restore the function and appearance of natural teeth. However, implants offer notable long-term benefits over bridges that do not incorporate implants. Explore the key benefits of dental implants compared to these bridges below.

Function and appearance

When it comes to function and appearance, dental implants offer clear benefits over non-implant-supported bridges. Since implants are rooted in the jawbone, they are secure and restore the bite to its natural strength. The crowns or dental prosthetics cemented on the implants also mimic the appearance of natural teeth better than traditional or Maryland bridges.

Further, while functional, traditional and Maryland bridges may sometimes have a visible framework when pointed out. This makes them less discreet than implants in terms of appearance. Additionally, these bridges rely on neighboring teeth for support, which may weaken those teeth over time.

Oral and jaw health

All dental bridges effectively keep the remaining natural teeth in place. The pontic fills the gap, thereby preventing the teeth from shifting to fill the gap on their own. As a result, the patient can avoid new misalignments that could interfere with oral hygiene and health. That said, the pontic does not engage the jawbone, leaving it prone to shrinking and changing the patient’s face shape.

Dental implants also maintain oral health by filling the gap. However, they offer superior benefits for jawbone health. Every time the patient chews, the implants engage the jawbone to help it keep its shape.

Longevity

Finally, dental implants are known for their longevity. They can last a lifetime, although the false teeth cemented on top may need to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years. In comparison, bridges tend to last about five to 15 years.