What Is the Difference Between a Bridge & an Implant for Teeth?

Missing teeth can cause problems with chewing, appearance, and more. Dental implants or bridges can restore proper bite and eliminate further tooth loss.

Dental Health

According to the American Dental Association, the average adult has 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth. When teeth are missing, the jaw makes adjustments that can put stress on other teeth and cause other problems like bone loss and TMJ, a painful jaw condition.

Causes of Missing Teeth

Permanent teeth can be lost due to a dental problem such as the death of a tooth after oral surgery, an injury to a tooth, or a genetic problem that prevents teeth from erupting properly.

Restoring Proper Bite

In order to restore alignment to the bite and maintain dental health, dentists may recommend implants, bridges, or full or partial dentures.

Implants

Implants are artificial teeth that are attached directly to the patient's jaw bone. Implants are secure, natural-looking, and often more expensive than a bridge.

Bridges

A dental bridge is one or more artificial teeth that are cemented to neighboring teeth rather than attached into the jaw bone like an implant.

References

• American Dental Association: Bridges
• 1800dentist.com: Missing Teeth