What’s Best? A Single Tooth Implant in Manchester or a Bridge?

What’s Best? A Single Tooth Implant in Manchester or a Bridge?

If you’ve lost a tooth recently, and it’s in a prominent place, there’s a better than average chance that you’re thinking about ways to cover up the gap. The two main options your dentist in Manchester will offer are a single tooth implant or a bridge. The question is – which looks most natural?

Studies show the vast majority of patients tend to be happy with how their dental implants look, even towards the end of their lifespan. Bridges can last for years, too, when they’re well cared for, so the decision can be tricky.

To help make sense of things, this blog looks at both single tooth implants in Manchester to see which will likely stay looking like a natural tooth for longer, and why that’s the case.

How Do Dental Implants in Manchester Differ from Bridges?

Before we get into the whys and wherefors, we need to look at how dental bridges in Manchester differ from implants, practically speaking. The primary difference can be seen in how they sit in your mouth. An implant involves a titanium screw being put into your jaw, with a crown sitting on top.

A bridge, however, is made up of three dental crowns joined together – the middle one fills the gap, and the ones on either side go over your existing teeth. Both cover the gap in your teeth, but each is clearly used in a totally different way.

Here’s what the experience with each is typically like:

So, what’s clear is that both implants and dental bridges in Manchester can cover any gaps in your teeth well for those first 5 years. It’s after this point that the difference between the two becomes more pronounced. Got more than one tooth missing? Check out our article that explains 4-on-1 implants.

Can a Bridge Look Just as Natural as an Implant?

Dental implants in Manchester can cost up to 2-3 times as much as bridges, so they’re always going to look more like real teeth, right? Well, not always. There are situations where a bridge can look just as natural as an implant, and sometimes the difference is almost impossible to spot.

However, a number of factors, like your age, can play a big part in how real they end up looking. A dental bridge can look very natural if:

• Your neighbouring teeth are already damaged – If the teeth either side of the gap have large composite fillings or need crowns anyway, a bridge can mean you’re able to fix everything at once.

You’re not damaging healthy teeth, and the bridge can actually improve how those neighbouring teeth look.

• You’ve got thick gums at the front – Thick, healthy gum tissue tends to hide the gap under the fake tooth much better than thin gums do. That dark line everyone worries about takes years longer to show up – sometimes looking natural for up to a decade.
• You’re under 30 and not ready for surgery – A bridge fitted in your twenties will look excellent into your thirties. Your gums haven’t started receding yet, so the visual problems don’t appear as quickly.

By the time they do, you might be ready for an implant, or you can just replace the bridge. The important thing is you have options.

If you’re interested in knowing how much dental implants in Manchester compare to bridges, take a look at our price list and don’t forget to read about our interest-free financing.

Can Tooth Implants in Manchester Do Anything Bridges Can’t?

The main reason that Implants stay natural-looking for longer is because of what’s going on beneath the gumline. You see, when you lose a tooth, the bit of jawbone that it used to sit on can start disappearing. When you get a bridge put in to cover a gap, that bone loss is allowed to continue, but with an implant…

…your jawbone stops shrinking

The metal post works like a real root, so your bone doesn’t go anywhere. Bridges can’t do this, and you end up losing a quarter of the bone in that spot within a year. That’s why you end up seeing an obvious gap.

….your neighbouring teeth aren’t damaged

The implant goes in the gap, so the teeth on either side stay as they are. With a bridge, those teeth get filed down to fit crowns over them, weakening them for good

…can handle full chewing pressure

The force of chewing goes into your jawbone as a real tooth would. With a bridge, the teeth holding it up take extra strain, which wears them down. In a nutshell, that’s why implants most often age better.

Ready to Find Out Which Option Is Right for You?

Dental implants in Manchester are obviously the better option for replacing a tooth when compared to having a bridge. Bridges work, too, and cost less, but they simply won’t last as long for all the reasons we’ve covered

At Ringway Dental, we’ve fitted plenty of implants and bridges at our Altrincham and Cheadle practices. If you’re curious about which one will work best for your situation, our experienced dentists can look at your teeth and gums and help you decide.

Ready to sort out that missing tooth? Just get in touch with us today, and we’ll make sure you know you’re taking the right path to a better smile.

FAQs About Single Tooth Implants vs Bridges

Q – How long do implants and bridges take to complete?

A – An implant takes 3-6 months because the post needs to fuse with your jawbone before the crown goes on. A bridge can be done in 2-3 weeks – two appointments, and you’re finished.

Q – Will people be able to tell I’ve had dental work done?

A – With a well-done implant, no. With a bridge, not usually for the first few years, but the gap at the gumline can become noticeable after 5-7 years.

Q – Do I need to replace dental implants eventually?

A – Implants can last 20+ years. In fact, sometimes, they can last a lifetime. Bridges, on the other hand, typically need replacing every 10-15 years because of wear or gum recession.

Q – Are bridges or dental implants in Manchester easier to clean?

A – Implants clean like normal teeth, so you’ve just got to brush and floss. Bridges need special floss threaders to clean under the fake tooth, which can be a bit more fiddly to get done.

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