A bridge is a restoration whereby an artificial tooth (or teeth) is attached to crowns placed on two or more adjacent teeth. Bridges are either made entirely from porcelain, or from porcelain bonded to a neutral metal substructure. Bridges can be placed alone, or in conjunction with porcelain veneers and crowns as part of a larger dental enhancement.
Dental Implants are titanium screws placed into the jaw bone to replace missing tooth roots. Crowns, bridges, and dentures can then be attached to the implants to replace the missing teeth. Dental implants are therefore an option for patients that have lost one tooth, or patients with no teeth left at all. Implant-retained restorations can be placed alone or in conjunction with porcelain veneers and crowns as part of a greater dental enhancement.
A dental implant is often the best treatment method to replace a single lost tooth. Unlike a bridge, an implant-retained crown does not rest on neighbouring teeth; it is a discrete individual unit. The adjacent teeth therefore are not filed down, and they maintain their structural integrity. The teeth are also not joined together as they are with a bridge.
Dental implants are often the only alternative to dentures in patients missing more than one tooth in a row. The placement of a bridge is not advisable in the case of a long edentulous (tooth-free) span, as it places excess strain on the adjacent teeth. In many cases a bridge can be affixed to the implants at the same appointment as the implant surgery so that the patient leaves our practice with brand new teeth.
Dental Implants are a godsend for people wearing full dentures to replace their upper teeth, lower teeth, or both. Full dentures frequently move during talking, eating and mouth opening, causing both embarrassment and discomfort to the wearer. Full dentures also make chewing very difficult. The placement of dental implants into the jaw bone can easily restore a toothless mouth to ideal aesthetics and function. Two to six implants are usually placed, and the teeth anchored securely to them.
In the past, this involved major surgery, stitches and approximately two weeks without teeth. Today, revolutionary computer-guided surgery allows our experienced surgeon to place up to six implants within an hour using a keyhole technique and no stitches. Teeth can be placed on the implants on the same day, and post-operative pain and swelling are negligible, meaning that patients can chew their dinner that night with their new, secure teeth.