Prof. Dr. Alper Çağlar explains the differences, application methods, and advantages of implants and bridge prostheses, one of the most frequently compared treatments for missing teeth.
What is a Dental Implant?
You can think of an implant as an artificial tooth root that we place in your jawbone. They are usually made of biocompatible titanium. After this artificial root completely fuses with the bone, a connecting piece called an “abutment” is placed on top, and finally, a porcelain or zirconium crown that closely resembles your natural tooth is placed on top. What is a Bridge Prosthesis?
A bridge prosthesis, as the name suggests, is a method where we use the healthy teeth on either side of the gap as “bridge abutments”. To fill the gap, we slightly reduce the size of your adjacent healthy teeth and attach the crown, which fills the gap in the middle, to these supports using veneers prepared in the laboratory.
In summary: Implant treatment offers the closest anatomical imitation of a natural tooth, while a bridge is a traditional option requiring the support of adjacent teeth. A specialist examination is essential for the most suitable treatment for you.
[Image caption: In summary: In implant treatment offers the closest anatomical imitation of a natural tooth, while a bridge is a traditional option requiring the support of adjacent teeth.]