What Is the Difference Between Partial Dentures and Bridges?
Your teeth will always work as intended when they are complete. And when even one piece of the set is missing, it could add strain to all the remaining ones. This issue is the most urgent for the teeth that are adjacent to the one you lost. Over time, they could end up loose or slanted as they compensate for their missing neighbor. And this could potentially affect your bite and put pressure on your other teeth and your jaw.
When you have a missing tooth, it may be difficult to find a reason to smile. But don’t fret; there are several different solutions that would be suitable for you. With restorative dentistry, you can regain your bright and gorgeous smile.
Two of the most popular procedures for restoring missing teeth are partial dentures or dental bridges. However, not everyone knows the difference between the two. In this article, we will discuss each one so that you can decide which treatment fits your needs.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures, also known as false teeth, are removable and built to fill in the empty spaces left by your missing teeth. A family dentist will install a natural-looking dental prosthesis that will adhere to your existing teeth. This treatment is cost-effective, non-intrusive, and a great alternative to dental implants.
Some of the benefits of partial dentures include:
Partial dentures are not as invasive as bridges and dental implants, with the latter involving minor oral surgery and several visits to the clinic.
You can easily chew your food, converse, and regain your confidence to smile.
Your dentist can easily modify partial dentures. If you lose more teeth over time, you can go back in so they can alter your existing dentures to accommodate the new replacements.
You can either get partial dentures to replace one or a few missing teeth. Alternatively, you can get full dentures to replace a whole row of lost teeth.
Dentures serve as a protection for your gums and prevent your remaining natural teeth from shifting.
Wearing dentures helps your overall oral health because missing teeth can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria.
Dentures are easy to remove and clean.
Dental Bridges
Similar to dentures, bridges are also designed to replace one or more missing teeth. They can help maintain the bone structure of your face and even restore your bite. Essentially, a dental bridge is another type of oral prosthesis that fills the gaps left by your missing teeth. They are usually supported by a crown installed on either side of the bridge.
Compared to dentures, dental bridges could require minor dental surgery. After all, the dentist will reshape the teeth that will get a crown, ensuring that they will successfully support the replacement teeth.
There are a few benefits to getting dental bridges. Some of these include:
Patients with dental bridges can attest to the comfort they feel after getting them.
It only takes a few sessions with your family dentist to get them installed.
Dental bridges are semi-permanent.
You don’t have to remove the bridges to keep them clean.
Dental bridges appear and look more natural.
With proper care, dental bridges can last longer than dentures.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between dentures and bridges, you need to consider your lifestyle, the condition of your teeth, and your budget. Either way, both are worthy investments that will give you bang for your buck. If you are interested in learning more about these restorative dental treatments, you should consider talking to a cosmetic dentist in Denver.
At G-Dental32, we offer a wide range of dental services, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, oral surgery, and sedation dentistry. To learn more about what we offer, including partial dentures and bridges, set an appointment today!
