When you have more than one missing tooth, dental bridges and dental implants tend to be two of the solutions that dentists offer. While dental bridges are a good fit for some people, many are disappointed that bridges need to be replaced more frequently than dental implants. In addition, dental bridges tend to have problems that dental implants don't. Here's a look at why dental implants have an advantage over dental bridges.

Unnatural Wear and Tear

Dental bridges, as the name hints, act as a bridge between natural teeth or dental implants. The teeth or implants on either side act as a support system, while the bridge itself provides the replacement teeth in the middle.

Teeth are strong, but unfortunately, they're not meant to deal with this variety of strain. Teeth typically experience the most force simply pushing down or upon them, like when you bite down or chew on your teeth. Bridges, on the other hand, pull on the supporting teeth, pulling them inwards over time. While this won't cause any problems at first, over a long period of time, it can cause the supports to become crooked and the bridge may need to be replaced.

Above the Surface

Another issue with dental bridges is that all of their components are above the surface of the gums. Of course, they do a great job of replacing the functionality of real teeth, but they don't have the protection of real teeth. Real teeth are snugly fitted into your gums, where the tissue helps to support and protect them. However, since bridges sit on top, they're exposed to more wear and don't have that extra layer of protection.

Body's Support System

The other main reason why dental implants work better is that they're supported by your own body. When they're inserted, the body grows new bone cells around it, permanently connecting the dental implants to the jaw bone. This means that you have all the strength of a real tooth with dental implants, as they're supported by the structures that are naturally intended to support teeth. Instead of chewing and biting wearing down the implant like a bridge, these actions will simply cause the body to build more bone to support them, making them stronger over time instead of weaker, like dental bridges.

If you want the longest-lasting and most natural method of tooth replacement, you should go with dental implants. Your dentist can provide you with answers to any other questions you may have.