Bridges Vs Dental Implants in Singapore

If you have recently suffered the loss of one or several teeth, or have been told that you have a tooth or two that is beyond saving and will have to be extracted, chances are that you're weighing your tooth replacement options. If so, you've probably been advised that those options include dental implants and traditional fixed dental bridges. So what is the story on dental implants bridges vs dental implants in Singapore? Which is the better option for your dental restoration?

About Traditional Fixed Dental Bridges

Fixed dental bridges are dental appliances that typically consist of two crowns with a false tooth or two placed between them to fill the gap left by tooth loss. The crowns at either end of the bridge are fitted onto adjacent natural teeth, providing support and retention for the replacement teeth. Before dental implants came into common use, dental bridges were the standard of care for replacing one lost tooth or several.

Among the advantages of dental bridges are a quick restorations and fairly reasonable initial costs. Disadvantages include the need to alter adjacent natural teeth in order to fit them with the necessary crowns, which can weaken them, leading to additional dental problems in the future. Lifetime costs are also a disadvantage of bridge use. They are not a permanent solution to tooth loss, with the average dental bridge requiring replacement every 7 to 10 years. Additionally, since they only replace the crown of a missing tooth, they offer no protection against bone loss in the jaw, which occurs where there are no tooth roots present to stimulate the body's natural process for bone repair and maintenance.

Dental Implants Singapore: Restoration

Dental implant restoration is done by replacing the lost root of a tooth with a titanium post – the dental implant – which bonds with the jawbone, much like a natural tooth root would. Acting as an artificial tooth root, the implant provides firm support for a crown and the abutment – or post – that attaches it securely to the implant. Dental implants have replaced dental bridges in recent years as the standard of care for tooth loss due to their similarity to the structure of natural teeth.

Advantages of using dental implants in Singapore for your dental restoration include replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth and better preservation of oral health and structure – since tooth roots are replaced to aid in preventing bone loss. Additionally, dental implants are self-supporting, so no natural teeth need be altered or weakened to facilitate dental implant restorations. Dental implants also have the advantage over traditional bridges in terms of longevity and lifetime costs, since the average dental implant has a lifespan of 25 years, and with careful oral hygiene and care, can last a lifetime. Disadvantages can include higher initial costs and, in some cases, longer wait times for completion of dental restoration.

So there are the basic facts on implants vs bridges in Singapore. The bottom line is that, if you're a candidate for dental implants – and most people are – they are, by far, your best option for replacing your missing tooth or teeth. While they will cost more up front than traditional fixed dental bridges, so long as you brush, floss and see your dentist for regular professional cleanings, your restoration will last decades, offering a much more permanent solution to tooth loss than is possible with any other tooth replacement option available today.