DENTAL IMPLANT vs FPD
What’s best for you?
Loosing teeth can have great impact on your eating ability, speech, appearance of your smile and your self-confidence, therefore replacement of missing tooth becomes topmost priority. Implant and fixed partial denture (bridge) are the two common approaches which address the same challenge.
Dental Implant
It is a root like structure made of titanium or biocompatible material that replaces the missing tooth
PROS & CONS
- Greater stability and durability - Because the implant is anchored directly into the jawbone, the restoration is less likely to come loose or break.
- More comfortable - Implant-supported restorations also tend to be more comfortable and natural-looking, as they are custom-made to match the patient’s existing teeth.
- No harm to adjacent teeth - Dental implants do not require healthy adjacent teeth for support
- Bone stimulation - They provide stimulation to the jawbone to prevent bone loss.
While implant-supported restorations have many advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.
- Cost - implant-supported restorations can be more expensive than FPDs, especially if multiple implants are needed.
- More invasive - Another consideration is that the implant placement process can be more invasive
- Longer healing - Implants require a longer healing time than the preparation for an FPD.
- Require surgery - Patient should be medically fit to undergo Implant surgery.
FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE (DENTAL BRIDGE)
Fixed partial denture is also known as dental bridge used to replace missing teeth, wherein the teeth adjacent to missing teeth i.e. abutment teeth are prepared by removing their enamel part which act as pillars to support the pontic.
PROS & CONS
- Less Invasive- One of the main advantages of FPDs is that they are a less invasive option than implant-supported restorations.
The placement of FPDs does not require surgery, and the preparation of the abutment teeth is minimally invasive.
- Less Expensive - FPDs are also typically less expensive than implant-supported restorations, making them a more affordable option for some patients.
Despite of many advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider when comes to dental bridge
- Sacrifice of healthy adjacent teeth - One of the main disadvantages of FPDs is that they require healthy abutment teeth to support the pontic. This means that adjacent teeth must be filed down and prepared, even if they are healthy and free of decay or damage.
- Has ill effects over time - FPDs do not stimulate the jawbone in the same way that dental implants do, which can lead to bone loss over time.
- Difficult to maintain - FPDs can be more difficult to clean than natural teeth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Upon examining the pros and cons of each, it becomes evident that there isn’t a definite winner. The decision is based on the circumstances.
A number of considerations need to be taken into account when choosing between implant-supported restorations and fixed partial dentures, including patient preferences, the dentist’s skill level, and the cost of the procedure.
The choice ultimately depends on the requirements and preferences of the particular patient, as each alternative has particular advantages and disadvantages of its own.
In conclusion, choosing between fixed partial dentures and implant-supported restorations is a difficult decision that needs to be made under the advice of a trained dental expert.
Patients and dental professionals can choose the best course of action by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each choice and taking into account specific patient characteristics.
