Dental Implants vs Bridges

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If you’re missing one or even several teeth, there are several different approaches for restoring your smile. While some people elect to have dentures, the majority of people can choose between the options of a dental implant or a bridge.

What Is A Dental Implant
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that’s surgically embedded into your jaw. A replacement tooth (crown) is then placed in on the top of this permanent fixture. The dental implant should be at least as strong or even stronger than your natural teeth.

What Is A Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is typically a three-tooth restoration. If you’re missing a tooth, we’ll create a bridge that’s made up of two crowns (on your existing teeth), with a “false” tooth in the middle. The bridge is permanently affixed and is not removable.

There are advantages and disadvantages to dental implants and dental bridges.

The primary advantage to the dental implant is that it only involves one tooth (the missing tooth), whereas with the bridge, three teeth are involved. And if the two teeth surrounding your missing tooth are healthy – with no fillings or crowns in them – then you’d be compromising them by placing the crowns on them that make up the two sides of the bridge.

On the other hand, the dental implant procedure often takes longer (typically up to 6 months), it is a complex procedure, and also requires multiple dental visits.

With both the dental implant procedure and the bridge procedure, sedation options are available: (nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation).

The decision of whether to go forward with a dental implant or bridge is an individual one. In a dental consultation, we can determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants and explain the process in detail, as well as the costs and potential dental insurance coverage.

If you’ve questions about dental implants, or if you would like to schedule your appointment, please call or send us an e-mail:

Denver / Centennial Dental Office (I-25 and Dry Creek), centennial@sedationdentistdenverco.com, (303) 309-0749

Sedation Dentist Near Me
Our sedation dental office is near you if you live or work in: Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, southeast Aurora, Parker, Denver Tech Center, Meridian, Inverness, or Park Meadows.