Dentistry has come a long way, especially with tooth restoration. Dealing with losing a tooth (whether it’s fallen out on its own, or your dentist recommends extraction) is not an easy experience – and can actually be detrimental to your oral health. However, because of the advancement of dentistry, we have several great options for restoring the cosmetic appeal and function of that lost tooth (or teeth) – such as dental implants and bridges. While both options certainly have their own benefits, we often hear the question, “are implants stronger than bridges?” Our answer is yes, and here’s why:
Dental Implants Vs. Bridges
To understand the difference in strength between the two, it’s important that you first understand how both methods work.
Whether you’re replacing one tooth or several, a bridge consists of two parts – the false teeth (known as pontics) in the middle and dental crowns on either side (known as abutment teeth) that are placed over the adjacent natural teeth. As you can see, the pontic(s) rely on the abutment teeth for support as they sit above your gum tissue.
On the other hand, dental implants are actually placed into the gum tissue – far enough to reach your jawbone, in fact. This is what mainly differentiates implants from other restoration options. However, if we break down dental implants just as we did with bridges – you’ll see that there are three parts. The “root” made out of titanium, the “abutment” which provides the surface for the third part – the dental crown (for the aesthetic appeal of a natural tooth). The titanium post, however, fuses directly with your jawbone because it’s actually a biocompatible material, providing strength and longevity for your new teeth.
