You have lost a tooth – maybe due to an accident, maybe due to heavy tooth decay, and maybe even in the front area, where everyone can see the gap clearly. So now the question is: What is besser – an implant or a bridge? The answer is: It depends.
Whenever you are in need of quick assistance, the bridge is your best bet. When applying a bridge, the treatment period usually only amounts to a couple of weeks. A bridge may also be an attractive option if you are afraid of a surgical procedure. Implant treatment is a surgical procedure which is usually associated with aches and pains. In this case, mild pains tend to arise a couple of days after the operation. A dental bridge also represents the option with the lower risk, being a frequently conducted routine treatment hardly exhibiting any serious complications. Needless to say, the price is an issue as well: Statutory health insurance usually accepts half the cost of a dental bridge, resulting in lower expenses than an implant.
However, if the treatment time is not the most important factor of all, implant treatment should definitely be taken into consideration. One of implant treatment’s most prominent advantages is that the healthy neighboring teeth are not compelled to serve as pillars for a dental bridge, are not exposed to any additional loads, and – first and foremost – do not need to be ground. After all, the tooth substance lost during the process of grinding is gone and will not return. Implants also score when it comes to stability and durability: No other type of treatment can be considered to be so stable and so durable. In more than 90 percent of all cases, implants last for more than twenty years in the jaw. Titanium and ceramics constitute the most frequently applied materials and are highly biocompatible. And last but not least: Implants are the cream of the crop when it comes to esthetics. In terms of color and impression, implants resemble natural teeth so strongly that even experts frequently do not notice the difference. In this respect, there are many reasons to decide in favor of implant treatment, however, these advantages need to be weighed against the higher costs.
Every situation is different; even the position of the gap can be significant at the end of the day. Consult your dentist in order to pinpoint the most reasonable type of treatment for your particular situation and have them prepare a treatment and budget plan!