Dental Implants Vs. Bridges: the Best Solution for Lost Tooth?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Scott Young, DDS
Question viewed 3,921 times
Tags: comparison, gap

the NY TImes article "A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges" states: "In an overwhelming majority of cases, implants to replace lost teeth are by far the best long-term solution for maintaining a healthy mouth. Also, because they rarely need to be replaced, in the long run they are more economical than bridges." Do you agree with this statement?

11 answers to Dental Implants Vs. Bridges: the Best Solution for Lost Tooth?

Dental implants are often more economical than bridges

I believe dental implants are often more economical than bridges. They are more conservative, have a high success rate, preserve bone and don't decay. In my experience, patients choose bridges over implants not because a successful implant isn't possible, but only because of higher up front cost. Implants are not only the standard of care, but a better value as well. see video

Paul D. Kantor, DDS
Cleveland Cosmetic Dentist

Dental Implants Provide a New Standard of Care

Yes dental implants are superior to bridges. Bridges had a strong place in the past, but today dental implants are the most advanced and conservative option for replacing missing teeth. I tell patients missing single teeth that dental implants are a "single tooth solution to a single tooth problem" meaning when you have one tooth missing implants won't involve the teeth surrounding the missing tooth. Bridges require the teeth adjacent to the missing... more

Gregory Allen Kerbel, DDS
Dallas Cosmetic Dentist

Dental Implants Superior To Dental Bridges

Over the past 5-10 years dental implants have become the treatment of choice for tooth replacement over dental bridges in the majority of cases. Dental implants allow you to not touch the adjacent teeth keeping unnecessary forces off of them. In addition, when an implant is placed in the bone and chewing forces are applied to it bone formation is stimulated. Finally, an implant allows for much easier hygiene (flossing) around the area than does a bridge. ... more

Scott Young, DDS
Houston Cosmetic Dentist

Dental bridges versus dental implants

This is really dependent on : 1) The adjacent teeth health 2) Amount of bone that is present where the missing tooth was 3) The patients bite and remaining teeth In general, if there is enough bone to place an implant and the adjacent teeth are healthy, then an implant may be a better choice long term. If it is on the lower arch and a block graft is needed it might be more predictable to do a bridge. Patients should ask their dentists for the... more

Ronald Konig DDS
Houston Cosmetic Dentist

Dental implant versus bridge placement

There is no way to give a blanket statement on implants versus bridges versus removable appliances versus going around with missing teeth. The decision is based on so many factors. What are the patient's needs and desires for the outcome? What is the health of the patient? How much bone is present to support an implant? Does the patient have a functional bite? Does the patient prefer a fixed or a removable solution? Etc. etc. A qualified dentist can... more

Marcus Whitmore, DDS
Plano Cosmetic Dentist

Dental implants are superior to bridges

I absolutely agree with the article. Some recent studies have indicated average life of a bridge to be 6.7 years. Not very good! In addition, it causes damage to adjacent teeth, oral hygiene is difficult, and they do not support the underlying bone. In current day dentistry, implants have become the standard of care for replacing teeth. It is difficult to see why bridges are even offered, except that they are an alternative treatment. But bridges were the best dentistry could do 30... more

H. Ryan Kazemi, DMD
Bethesda Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

www.facialart.com

Implants last a lifetime

Once an implant is healed (osseointegrated) it is there to stay. The restoration on top of the implant is subject to fracture but that is also the beauty - the restoration can be changed to another configuration on the same implant as your needs change. In my 34 years of dentistry, it is wonderful to have seen implants come of age as the best method of tooth replacement.

Mickey Bernstein, DDS
Memphis Cosmetic Dentist

Dental Implants vs. Bridges: Replacing Missing Teeth

I agree completely that - except under certain circumstances -- dental implants are superior to bridges for replacing missing teeth. If you smoke, have untreated periodontal disease, have a large bony defect, or have two missing front teeth that are right next to one another you may be a better candidate for a bridge. The best way for you to find out is to consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist or prosthodontist who does a lot of implants.

Susan Goode Estep, DMD
Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist

Dental implants way to go for lost tooth

I agree that given the option, Dental Implants are the way to go! Given their success rate and ease of placement they often can be considered more conservative than fixed bridges. However, any dentist that tells you that they never fail simply has not done enough implants. Please remember that fixed bridges are not dinosaurs. There are times that I will recommend fixed bridges over implants and they function extremely well. Because I perform the surgical and restorative phase of implants as... more

Joseph W. Worthington, DDS
Fairfield Cosmetic Dentist

Dental Implants are gold standard of care for replacing missing teeth

An implant replaces the entire tooth from its root to the esthetic aspect of the crown. It is free standing and is to be treated by the patient as a natural tooth (floss, brush). A fixed bridge used to be the gold standard, in as much as it was a fixed (vs. removable) solution to a missing tooth. The downside is the fact that three or more teeth become connected by a rigid solder unit, thus no flossing is achieved easily. Secondly, "virgin" or untouched otherwise teeth may have to... more

Anca Bazile, DDS
New York Cosmetic Dentist

Implants ARE better than bridges

If you look at the big picture, as in decades, implants are best. There is no periodontal disease with implants, there is no decay. When done right, they may last a lifetime. Bridges statistically need replacement in 15-20 years (averages). Failures come from decay on teeth that hold up the bridge, gum disease on said teeth, root canals, etc. If ONE tooth has a problem, the whole structure is compromised and needs replacement. Implants are cheaper in a few ways. If third party benefits... more