If you’re missing several teeth in a row, you might feel pretty frustrated about the issue; not only has the beauty of your smile been compromised, but also its functionality! That said, you should want a solution that addressed both, and two possible options that meet these standards are partial dentures and dental bridges. But how are you supposed to know which one is more suitable for your needs, as they’re quite similar to each other? Here’s a closer look at some of their key differences.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges consist of a section of false teeth that have a crown on either end, which fit over and rely on healthy adjacent teeth for support. This usually requires a little initial preparation to the adjacent teeth, but the resulting restoration is remarkably durable, lifelike, and designed to remain a permanent addition to your smile. They can restore several teeth in a row and can last upwards of 10 or 15 years under optimal circumstances.
Partial Dentures
Made from either plastic, metal, or a mixture of both, a partial denture contains a gum-colored base and false teeth and is designed to clip onto the remaining teeth that are surrounding the gap left by missing ones. The replacement teeth are constructed to be lifelike in appearance and will restore a significant amount of oral functionality; however, as durable and reliable as this option is, it can still fail if you don’t take great care of your smile via brushing and soaking. In any case, they typically require repair or replacement after a few years (5 – 10 or so).
Which Is Best for My Smile?
The bottom line is that your dentist is going to be the most qualified person for deciding which of these two options, if either, is suitable for your needs—everyone’s mouth is different! As similar as these two options might seem on the outside, there are certain situations that favor one or the other. For instance, a partial denture might be ideal if you have three or more missing teeth, or if you’re likely to sustain future tooth loss. They’re also more cost-effective. Conversely, a dental bridge might be ideal if you only need to restore one or two missing teeth but are known to last longer than partials.
Upon inspecting your mouth and determining that you’re a good candidate for restorative dentistry, your dentist can come up with a customized treatment plan involving one of these options that’s certain to help you rebuild your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati received his DMD from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and has proudly served patients and families in the Peabody, MA community for several years. His practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including restorative options like dentures and bridges. If you have any further questions about the blog or you need to schedule a consultation for yourself or someone you know, feel free to contact the practice through their website or by phone: (978) 531-2185.