Dental Bridges Vs Implants

Dental Bridge diagram at Oregon Periodontics, P.C.

You can lose teeth for a variety of reasons, gum disease, facial trauma, tooth decay, bruxism. Even if you lose just a single tooth, this event has a serious impact on your life. Along with the effects tooth loss has on your abilities to eat and speak, it can also have a major impact on the quality of your smile. Additionally, tooth loss affects your oral health, including the health of your jawbone. The jawbone gradually begins to weaken, and your healthy teeth begin to shift out alignment. This can lead to issues such as bruxism and TMJ pain. At Oregon Periodontics, P.C., we offer options for replacing missing teeth including dental bridges and implants.

Traditional Dental Bridges

Dental bridges have traditionally be used to replace a missing tooth. These restorations can be used to replace up to three consecutive missing teeth in any area of the mouth. There are a few different types of dental bridges, including cantilever bridges, Maryland or resin bonded bridges, and fixed bridges. Fixed bridges are the most common. This type of bridge consists of the replacement tooth, or teeth, set between two dental crowns. The crowns are there to anchor the bridge into place on the healthy teeth on both sides of the space. Getting a fixed bridge involves the trimming of these abutment teeth, a process that involves removing a portion of the enamel from each tooth. After the teeth have been prepared, an impression is taken and used to design and create a custom restoration. Once the restoration has been created, it is cemented into place on the abutment teeth.

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Dental Bridge

Dental bridges offer several benefits:

•	Getting your bridge takes only two visits.
•	Preparing your abutment teeth only requires a local anesthetic.
•	A bridge is one of the most affordable tooth replacement options.

There are also a few disadvantages to dental bridges:

•	Perfectly healthy teeth need to be altered to make room for the restoration.
•	While it holds your natural teeth in place, preventing them from shifting into the space, a dental bridge cannot stop the bone loss in your jaw that occurs after tooth loss.

Modern Treatment With Dental Implants

Dental implants are a modern alternative to traditional tooth replacement treatments. This treatment can be used to replace any number of missing teeth. It involves the use of small titanium posts, which are surgically implanted into the jawbone. As you heal, your bone gradually fuses to the posts, integrating them into the jaw and turning them into stable roots that are then used to support your replacement teeth. The replacement teeth consist of ceramic crowns, which look and function just like your natural teeth.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer several benefits over traditional treatments, including:

•	Your adjacent teeth remain completely intact.
•	Dental implants are comfortable. The crowns are supported by the posts, and your jawbone, rather than your adjacent teeth.
•	Dental implants work to maintain the health and shape of your jawbone. The posts stimulate your jawbone just like the roots of your natural teeth, keeping your jawbone strong.

If you are missing even one tooth, treatment is necessary for restoring the functions of your mouth, your smile, and your quality of life. Call Oregon Periodontics, P.C. today to schedule your consultation and find out what option is best for you at(503) 575-7750.

Benefits of

Oregon Periodontics PC

Comfortable operatory experience

Excellent results due to enhanced vision & precision

Rapid healing & minimal discomfort

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Office Hours
Tuesday–Thursday
8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Location
11786 Southwest Barnes Rd Suite 210
Portland, OR 97225-5925

Contact
Office: (503) 575-7750
Fax: (503) 531-3560

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