Bridges vs. Implants: Finding the Perfect Fit for a Beautiful Smile in Columbia, SC

I don’t know if you’ve ever counted them, but the average adult has between 28 and 32 permanent teeth – including eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars (four of which are wisdom teeth). 

Together, these teeth play a vital role in everything from eating to speaking, smiling, breathing, and the overall structure of your mouth. That’s why it’s so important that we protect and care for them at all costs. 

If that were an easy task, then your local Columbia dentist wouldn’t exist. 

But it’s not an easy task – and Soda City Dentistry is here for a reason. 

The truth is dental care and oral hygiene take an enormous amount of time, energy, and effort on a daily basis – and even when you do everything right, accidents happen and we can’t always predict the future.

In fact, the American College of Prosthodontists estimates that 178 million Americans (about 70% of the adult population) are missing at least one tooth and about 40 million adults are missing all of their teeth. 

We don’t mean to scare you with that statistic, but it’s a reality we all have to face. 

The good news is teeth are replaceable – and you have options when replacing them.

Dental Bridges: Bridging the Gap Between You and a Perfect Smile

No one wants to lose a tooth, but it’s not the end of the world when it happens and dental bridges can help correct that beautiful smile of yours in as little as two trips to your favorite neighborhood dentist. 

So, don’t freak out – we’ve got your back (or, in this case, your teeth). 

A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration device that helps bridge the gap between two healthy teeth. It generally consists of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) anchored by dental crowns (abutments).

There are four primary types of dental bridges: 

1. Traditional dental bridges are the most common type of bridge and consist of one or more pontics cemented together by two dental crowns on each side of the gap.
2. Cantilever dental bridges work in much the same way, but consist of only one dental crown (as opposed to two) attached to one or more artificial teeth. 
3. Maryland dental bridges are made of a metal or porcelain framework with wings that are bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth.
4. Implant-supported dental bridges are similar to traditional bridges, but instead of being supported by dental crowns placed on natural teeth, the bridge is supported by dental implants – we’ll discuss this in more detail below.

Dental bridges can be made from various materials – including porcelain, ceramic, gold, or a combination of these. The overall cost will depend on how many missing teeth you have and the type of material used.

Dental Implants: Turning Toothless Smiles into Sparkling Grins

Dental bridges might be the more affordable option when replacing a missing tooth, but that doesn’t mean they’re your only option. For those who want something with a longer shelf life, go with a dental implant. 

And if you can’t decide between the two – we can help with that. 

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of biocompatible materials – typically titanium – that’s surgically placed (AKA implanted) into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or dental bridge. 

There are three primary components of a dental implant: 

1. The post is a screw-like device that’s surgically inserted into the jawbone and serves as the root of the artificial tooth. Like we mentioned above, it’s usually made of titanium. 
2. The abutment is a connector that is placed on top of the implant post to hold and support the replacement tooth. It’s usually made of titanium, porcelain, or gold. 
3. The crown is the visible part of the tooth that is attached to the abutment. It’s designed to mimic the rest of your teeth and is usually made of porcelain or ceramic. 

Dental implants restore full chewing power, allowing individuals to eat their favorite foods without any discomfort or difficulty. They also aid in clear speech and are an excellent alternative to dentures. 

Implant-Supported Bridge: It’s the Best of Both Worlds

When most patients lose a tooth, they think their only two options are a dental bridge or a dental implant. While that’s true in a sense, there’s technically a third option – and it gives you the best of both worlds. 

We briefly mentioned it earlier, but we’re going to go into a little more detail.

An implant-supported dental bridge is similar to a traditional dental bridge, but instead of the crown being attached to natural teeth, they’re attached to dental implants – a stronger and more stable foundation.

In other words, your natural adjacent teeth aren’t ruined with this type of bridge. 

And since the implants stimulate the jawbone, they help maintain bone density and prevent the bone loss that typically occurs with missing teeth – meaning they’re just as effective (if not more) than natural teeth.

Bridges vs. Implants: Which One Is Right for You? 

Trying to decide between a dental bridge and a dental implant after losing a tooth (or teeth) can be challenging, much like choosing between chocolate and ice cream while binge-watching your favorite Netflix series. Both options have their unique benefits, and it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.

The right answer is different for everyone, and some people might choose both!

With that said, let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two: 

• Dental bridges are generally cheaper than implants
• Dental implants can last a lifetime, while most bridges last 10-15 years
• Dental bridges don’t take as long to heal 
• Dental implants provide a more stable and secure foundation
• Dental bridges are usually covered by insurance, whereas implants usually aren’t
• Dental implants prevent bone loss, while dental bridges spur bone loss

Have you recently lost a tooth? Is your tooth chipped beyond repair? Are you ready to restore that smile that gets you so many likes on Instagram? Do you want to feel confident about your smile again? 

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Welcome to Soda City Dentistry – your new favorite dentist in Columbia, SC. 

‍Dr. Rob Guierrero is excited to bring his talents to Soda City and is prepared to assist the South Carolina community with all of their dental needs. If you’d like to learn more about the difference between dental bridges and dental implants, schedule an appointment with us today – we can’t wait to meet you!