Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants

Can you get a cavity under a dental bridge? Yes, it is possible to get a cavity on the supporting teeth around bridges. It can be difficult to clean under the bridge effectively for many patients. This is often one of the causes of failure of a dental bridge.

The cost for an implant bridge will depend on your specific insurance policy and the number of teeth involved in the bridge. Your insurance may cover some, but not all, of the cost.

If a patient is missing three or more teeth in one area, another option is an implant-supported bridge. Instead of preparing natural teeth for crowns, implants are placed and the gap is bridged between two implants. While some bone will still be lost in areas of pontic teeth (the tooth supported by the anchor teeth), some bone will still be retained where implants were placed.

It is not normal to experience discomfort on supporting teeth around a bridge. If you have symptoms, it is a good idea to have the area evaluated by a dentist to make sure there is not a cavity or underlying problem with the tooth.

It is safe to have an implant placed while breastfeeding as long as you are not receiving intravenous sedation for the procedure. Sedation is not necessary for the placement of implants.

Food debris can become trapped under dental bridges, which can lead to inflammation of the gum tissue or tooth decay. Make sure you are using a floss-aid like a floss-threader, a toothpick with bristles or a Waterpik® to clean around your bridgework daily. Using Listerine can help kill bacteria that can contribute to bad breath. If this odor persists, it is a good idea to have a dentist examine it.

Implant bridges offer a long-term solution to missing teeth, while regular bridges may not last a patient’s lifetime. Implant bridges are a larger financial investment, but will last much longer.

It is a good idea to have a comprehensive exam with your dentist to determine the extent of bone loss from periodontal disease. Anchor teeth should have strong bone support to be able to sustain chewing forces from the bridge. If the periodontal disease is under good control and there is adequate bone support, a bridge could be a replacement option.

Implants are placed by an oral surgeon. A titanium post is placed in the bone, and after a healing period of 3-4 months, a general dentist will place a white crown over the top. A dental implant does not require any preparation of adjacent teeth and functions and looks just like a natural tooth. Dental implants should last a patient’s lifetime.

A bridge is a three-unit crown that requires the adjacent teeth on either side of the site of the missing space to be prepared for crowns, and later a 3-unit crown is seated over the top, bridging the gap between the two supporting teeth. Bridges offer some chewing function but they often fail after 8-10 years. They can be difficult for patients to clean, making them susceptible to secondary tooth decay. Patients who have a strong bite may be more prone to breaking their bridgework with normal chewing forces over time.

A partial is essentially a piece of plastic with metal framework which sits on top of tissues and clasps onto existing teeth. Partials are very cost-effective for replacement of multiple missing teeth; however, many patients do not feel that they can chew or function normally.

Some insurance policies may cover part of the cost for an implant retained bridge, while other policies may not cover any of the cost. It will all depend on your specific insurance policy and the number of teeth involved in the bridge. Should you have questions, your dentist and their team can help.

The cost of a single implant is around $4000 and a 3 unit bridge around $3300 with no dental insurance coverage. If your specific insurance policy does cover part of your treatment, the cost may be lower.

The cost of a dental bridge can start around $3300 with no insurance and the implant retained bridge around $5700. If your specific insurance policy does cover part of your treatment, the cost may be lower.

Should you decide to move forward with either option, our dentist, and their team, can provide an estimate of cost for you based upon your selected option and whether or not you have dental insurance that will cover any portion.