Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants
Experienced Dental Implant Care
Curious about dental bridges vs. dental implants? Dr. Sydney Joyce has extensive experience restoring dental implants and has received advanced additional training and has over a decade of experience placing dental implants. This includes several continuing education classes about implants, and hundreds of implants restored.
If you elect to have dental implants placed, Dr. Sydney Joyce has partnered with Dr. David Rallis. Dr. Sydney Joyce and Dr. Rallis will co-manage your implant treatment process for optimal results. These two dentists in Lincoln, NE, have worked together on hundreds of implant procedures throughout the years.
In our article we’ll answer many commonly asked questions in addition to the following:
Am I a candidate for a fixed bridge if I have periodontal disease?
Am I a candidate for an implant bridge if I have periodontal disease?
If you are interested in replacing missing teeth, there are a few options available. Dental implants and bridges are two great options. Making the right choice is very important for the long-term health of your mouth. Here at Southpointe Dental, we want to help inform you about the options that are available, so you feel confident in making the an excellent decision that fits you. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office or schedule a consultation. Below you will find some helpful information about dental bridges and dental implants.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is used to bridge the gap created by missing teeth. In order to place this restoration, our dentist near me in Lincoln, NE, will prepare the teeth on either side of the missing space for crowns. A three-unit crown is then cemented into place, joining the two teeth on either side of the missing space together. One of the disadvantages of placing a bridge is that it requires the supporting teeth to be prepped for crowns. This means that tooth structure must be removed on these teeth to accommodate the crowns. These supporting teeth also sustain more chewing forces which can shorten the life of the bridgework. Bridges can be made to look very natural, which makes them a good option to restore the aesthetic appearance of the teeth. Unfortunately, bridgework does not often last a patient’s lifetime, and sometimes bridges can be difficult for patients to clean, making them more susceptible to cavities around the margins of the crowns.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an excellent long-term solution to replace missing teeth that is available today. An implant consists of a titanium post (screw) which is placed in the jawbone. This acts as the new root of the tooth. Once this post is placed, there is usually a healing period of 3-4 months. This allows the implant to properly integrate into the bone. After the healing phase is complete, our dentist in Lincoln, NE will place a crown over the top of the implant. The crown will restore the function and aesthetic appearance your smile.
Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants: Choosing Between Them
If the adjacent teeth around a missing space are already cracked or decayed and require crowns, a bridge is a more practical option for some patients. However, a dental implant is almost always the top option and most conservative option for single tooth or total teeth replacement. This is because teeth adjacent to the missing space are not affected by the placement of an implant.
Choosing to place an implant rather than a bridge also gives the benefit of preserving bone. Any time teeth are removed, bone dissolves in the space the tooth once occupied. This can result in a sunken in appearance due to lack of bone support for facial structures. Placing an implant keeps the bone active, preventing resorption.
Advantages of Dental Implants
| Flipper | Dentures (partial or full) | Bridge | Implants | |
| Longevity | 1-3 years | 5-7 years | 7-10 years | Lifetime |
| Preservation of healthy adjacent teeth | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Transmission of force to: | adjacent teeth | adj teeth/gums | adjacent teeth | bone |
| Prevent bone loss & preserve facial appearance | No | No | No | Yes |
| Requirement for periodic adjustments | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Accelerated loss of adjacent teeth | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants: Who can benefit from dental implants?
Patients who have problematic teeth that need to be removed or have already had teeth removed are candidates for implants. In rare cases, patients may not be eligible for implants. Occasionally, if a patient’s sinus is naturally positioned lower, or has lost bone at the site of the missing tooth from infection, the oral surgeon may need to perform additional surgical procedures to ensure adequate bone to support implants.
Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants: Implant-Supported Bridges
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.
Schedule Your Consultation Any Time Online
Our Lincoln, NE dentist, Dr. Sydney Joyce answers some Common Questions about…
implants versus a dental bridge
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: Am I a candidate for a fixed bridge if I have periodontal disease?
It is a good idea to have a comprehensive exam with your dentist near me in Lincoln, NE 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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: Am I a candidate for an implant bridge if I have periodontal disease?
Depending on the extent of bone loss from periodontal disease and if the disease state is currently inactive, patients with a history of periodontal disease can be candidates for implant bridges. Sometimes additional bone grafting procedures may be necessary.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: Can I have an implant placed while breastfeeding?
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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: Can you get a cavity under a dental bridge?
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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: My tooth hurts under a dental bridge, is it normal?
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 in Lincoln, NE to make sure there is not a cavity or underlying problem with the tooth.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: I get a bad smell under my dental bridge, it is normal?
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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: Is it better to get a regular bridge or an implant retained bridge?
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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: What is the difference between an implant, bridge and partial?
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 in Lincoln, NE 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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: Does dental insurance cover a dental implant retained bridge?
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 in Lincoln, NE and their team can help.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: What is the cost for a fixed implant 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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: How much does a single implant cost in comparison to a 3 unit bridge in Lincoln, NE ?
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.
Q to Lincoln, NE dentist: What is the difference in price, the cost difference between a dental bridge and an implant retained bridge?
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 in Lincoln, NE, 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.
Affordable Dental Care
Make easy, affordable payments for your procedure with dental payment plans we offer.
Schedule Day or Night
Schedule your dental appointment at anytime of the day or night with our online scheduling.
We have 7 Locations in Lincoln, NE!
- Lincoln Family Dentistry – Central Lincoln
- South Lincoln Family Dentistry – South Lincoln
- Northeast Lincoln Family Dentistry – Northeast Lincoln
- Preserve Family Dentistry – East Lincoln
- Coddington Dental – West Lincoln
- NorthStar Dental – North Lincoln
- SouthPointe Dental – Southwest Lincoln
- Emergency Dentist NE – Emergency Dental Care
- Lincoln Dental Plans – Affordable Dental Options
Nebraska Family Dentistry has Lincoln Dental clinics in all parts of Lincoln. Choose a “near me dentist” location that is convenient for you.