Dentures versus Bridges: Which Is Right for You?

The best, strongest, and most permanent solution for eating is, of course, your natural teeth. However, accidents and decay happen, and sometimes tooth loss is unavoidable. There’s no single solution for replacing such teeth. You’ve got a range of options, and while sometimes there’s clearly a best solution, at other times, you may have a choice of approaches. 

Dentures and bridges are two popular options that have been around for decades. When you need to fill the gaps in your smile due to tooth loss, contact Strauss Dental in Oregon City for the finest in tooth restoration and replacement services. Here’s some of the background you need to make the right choice. 

The difference between dentures and bridges

Dentures are removable, while dental bridges are not. That’s the simple distinction between the two treatments, though sometimes the terms are mixed in popular usage, particularly when referring to partial denture plates. 

Perhaps the easiest way to remember the difference is to think of a dental bridge in literal terms. It’s a structure that crosses a gap, like a bridge used by cars or trains — a permanent structure that remains in one spot. 

Dentures fill gaps, but they’re removable. They’re held in place by clasps or other attachments and removed when you sleep. Though they perform the same function as bridges, they have different maintenance requirements, and there may be an increased risk of slipping, depending on the way the denture attaches. 

The case for dentures

Often, dentures are the most affordable solution for missing teeth, and they’re certainly the oldest method, with evidence of use dating back centuries. As an established treatment method, procedures and best practices are well-defined, and dentures have been adapted to a very wide range of tooth loss situations. Chances are very good your tooth loss situation has a denture solution. 

The pros of dental bridges

Traditionally, bridges require healthy teeth on each side of the missing tooth or teeth. These support teeth are prepared to accept artificial, hollow crowns that support the replacement artificial tooth that’s fastened between them, creating a permanent, non-removable replacement system. 

Hybrid solutions with implants

Today, dental implants remove the need for teeth on both sides of a gap. Fused to the jaw bone with a titanium screw, an implant is topped with a crown that can serve as an anchor tooth for a bridge. This expands the flexibility of a bridge option, or removes the need entirely when a lost tooth can be replaced directly with an implant. 

Dentures can also benefit from implant technology by snapping onto special posts that attach to implants. The biggest benefit there is a secure fit while maintaining removability. 

Each tooth restoration situation is unique, so enlist the help of Dr. Julie Strauss and her team to decide on the best solution for you. Contact the practice by phone at 503-656-2139, or schedule your consultation online today. Dr. Strauss will guide you through your options and help you make a comfortable choice.