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Dr. Jeffrey Chen, DMD

Implants vs. Bridges: What's the Difference?

Updated: Jun 7, 2022

Chances are, you've probably heard of dental implants before; maybe in passing, or perhaps your dental provider has recommended them as a viable treatment option. But what about dental bridges? Maybe, you've never heard of either! Not to worry, you can check out Dr. Chen's informative video, or keep reading to find out about these two different treatments.



What are implants?


Dental implants are specially designed titanium screws that are placed in the jawbone in place of the missing tooth's root. These implants can replace one or more missing teeth, and in some cases, full mouth rehabilitation is an option. Dental implants are made up of three components: the implant body, a titanium screw serving as the 'root' of the new tooth; an abutment, connected to the screw to support the attached artificial teeth; and a crown, the realistic, artificial tooth made especially for you.


What are dental bridges?


Dental bridges are an alternative to implants. There are several type of bridges, but the most common variety is the fixed bridge. The fixed bridge is attached to dental crowns on either side of the space of the missing/removed tooth. These crowns are made from an alloy called porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) that mimics the natural color and texture of your teeth. The key difference between bridges and implants is that you are not able to floss traditionally with a dental bridge.


Which is better?


Both implants and dental bridges solve the problem of a missing tooth. They are different approaches, and your provider will recommend what they believe is best for your situation.


Why do I need to replace missing teeth?


When a gap is left by a missing tooth, the surrounding teeth have a tendency to shift because that tooth is no longer helping to keep everything in line. Ultimately, teeth may become crooked or new gaps may appear between teeth. Patients can expect severe changes to their bite and even malformation in the jaw.


Will my insurance cover implants?


Most insurance plans cover implants, as they are a vital procedure for overall oral and jaw health. If a patient is uninsured, our convenient locations in Brookhaven, Buckhead, and Johns Creek are happy to provide financing options to prioritize both oral and financial wellbeing.



Interested in Implants? We have three convenient locations proudly serving the North Atlanta ITP and OTP areas. See below for more information:


Johns Creek Dental Associates

website: dentistinjohnscreek.com

phone: (770) 813-0112

address: 10220 Medlock Bridge Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097

email: admin@dentistinjohnscreek.com

instagram: @jcdentalassociates

facebook: facebook.com/johnscreekdentalassociates


Brookhaven Dental Associates

website: brookhavendentalassociates.com

phone: (404) 816-9336

address: 1407 Dresden Dr #200, Atlanta, GA 30319

email: admin@dentistinjohnscreek.com

instagram: @brookhavendentalassociates

facebook: facebook.com/brookhavendentalassociates


Buckhead Dental Center

website: buckhead-dental.com

phone: (404) 603-8350

email: admin@buckhead-dental.com

instagram: @buckheaddentalcenter2282

facebook: facebook.com/buckheadental30309


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