From Failing Bridge to Implant ‑ Supported Smile: Dental Implants vs Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey

Written by Dr. Bürkan Berkay Baş (DentSpa)

Dental Implants vs Bridge: What You Need to Know First

Nobody wakes up one morning expecting their dental bridge to start acting funny. But when it happens, you just feel it. Maybe it starts to wobble. Maybe it hurts when you chew. Something just feels… off.

If this sounds familiar, just know you’re not alone. It has happened to a lot of people over the years. Truth is, while dental bridges are clever little inventions, they’re not a forever solution. And when they start to give way, they don’t just affect your smile. They can mess with your bite, your jawbone, and even how your face looks.

The good news? There’s a better fix now. Dental implants are the modern answer to old bridge problems. They’re strong. They last. And they help keep everything working the way it should.

Let’s walk through what really happens when a bridge fails and how implants can turn things around for good.

What Is a Dental Bridge and Why Do They Fail?

Think of a dental bridge like a replacement of sorts for a missing tooth. It fills the gap left by this tooth by hooking onto the teeth on both sides. The fake tooth in the middle, called a pontic, sits there like a little seat on a swing. On each end, the teeth serve as a support tower, holding it up.

Most bridges work by placing crowns over your healthy teeth. The crowns hold everything in place and help your smile look whole again.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

Dental bridge life expectancy is around fifteen years. How long they actually last depends on how they’re maintained and well, luck. With the right oral hygiene, your dental bridge may last longer. But eventually, most bridges need repairs or replacing.

So What Goes Wrong?

Even if your bridge was done perfectly, time can catch up.

In an exclusive interview with Dr. Damla Öztürk, a Periodontologist with over ten years of experience at DentSpa, she notes:

“A lot of people don’t even know their bridge is causing problems underneath. They come in thinking it’s just a loose crown, but once we check, we find decay or bone loss. Honestly, most of the real trouble is what you don’t see.”

Here’s what usually causes dental bridges to fail:

• Tooth Decay Under the Crowns
  Food and bacteria can build up under the bridge, especially if it’s hard to clean. This can lead to decay on the support teeth holding the bridge in place. If one tooth gets damaged, the whole thing can become shaky.
• Gum Problems
  Bridges don’t protect your gums. If gum disease sets in, it can weaken the teeth and the bone underneath them.
• Biting Pressure
  Every time you chew, your bridge takes a hit. Over the years, that pressure, coupled with wear and tear can cause it to crack or come loose.
• Poor Oral Hygiene
  While it may not seem like much at first, not cleaning your teeth regularly can cause your dental bridge to pack up faster. Beyond that, ignoring early warning signs and missing checkups can contribute too.

What Happens When Your Dental Bridge Starts to Fail?

The Obvious Signs

One of the first things people notice is dental bridge instability. You’ll usually feel something is off. Your bite might change. The bridge could wiggle a little. Maybe you see a crack or feel pain when you chew. Sometimes, one of the crowns might even pop off.

The Ones You Don’t See

What you can’t see is what causes the most damage. It’s possible the teeth under the bridge have started to decay or crack. The scary part is you may not feel it right away, but when it shows up, it often comes with infection or serious pain.

Also, bridges only replace the part of the tooth you can see. They don’t go into your jaw like a root would. Well, this just means that your jawbone has nothing to hold on to. Eventually, the jawbone where your tooth used to be starts to shrink. The term for this is bone resorption, and it greatly weakens your whole jaw structure.

Many patients only discover bone loss after dental bridge failure when the damage has already started affecting their jaw and other teeth.

Other Effects

A missing tooth is the least of your worries if your dental bridge starts to fail. It can cause your face to start changing shape, especially around your cheeks or jawline. But that’s not all:

• Other teeth can shift and tilt.
• Your bite changes.
• Eating and talking become harder.

When it’s all said and done, what started as one missing tooth can turn into a full-blown dentition disaster.

Why Dental Implants vs Bridge Is the Better Long-Term Solution

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a small metal post that is placed into your jawbone. This surgical fixture acts like the root of your missing tooth. On top of that post sits a crown that looks and feels just like a real tooth.

It’s firm. It’s stable. And over the months, when it heals and fuses with your jawbone, it becomes part of you. You can smile, eat, and talk like you used to.

Why Implants Actually Work

See, your jawbone loves to be used. Put simply, when you chew food or anything, there’s pressure from this chewing on your tooth roots. The pressure keeps your jawbone healthy.

However, when you lose a tooth, that part of your jawbone gets less work. As a result of this disuse, the bone starts to waste away.

Dr. Damla explained it in a way that makes perfect sense:

“Your jawbone is like a muscle. It needs work to stay strong. When you chew with a real tooth – or an implant – it’s like giving that bone a workout. Bridges don’t do that. They just sit there. That’s why the bone starts to disappear.”

But implants go into the bone and give it the pressure it needs. That keeps your jaw strong, your face shape full, and your smile supported from the inside.

Why People Opt for Dental Implants

• They Protect your Bone
  Implants are a tooth replacement procedure that help stop bone loss. In so doing, they keep your jaws strong and in shape, and in turn, your face doesn’t lose its shape.
• They Leave your Other Teeth Alone
  A bridge needs to be held up by your other teeth, but an implant stands all by itself. It doesn’t grind with or give extra work to your healthy teeth.
• They Look and Feel Real
  Once it’s in, an implant feels just like a natural tooth. You can’t tell the difference, and it’s common for people to forget they even have one.
• They Last a Long Time
  While bridges might need replacing every few years, a well-placed implant can last over twenty-five years. Some even last a lifetime.
• They’re Simple to Care For
  When taking care of implants, simply brushing and flossing is enough. You don’t need any special tools or cleaning methods.
• You Can Eat Freely Again
  With implants, you can put all hard foods, chewy foods, and crunchy snacks back on the menu. You don’t have to be scared of your implant breaking.

What About the Cost?

Yes, implants can cost more upfront. But in the long run, they turn out to be cheaper. This is because while bridges often need repairs or replacements, dental implants rarely do. Plus, they protect your bones and other teeth, which means fewer problems (and less money spent on getting help) down the line.

More importantly, they give you back your confidence. And that, for a lot of people, is worth much more than money.

Dental Implants vs Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey: A Direct Comparison

To make things easier for you, I’ve reviewed and compared dental implants v bridges in the table below:

Why You Should Get Dental Implants

“Most patients tell me they forgot what it felt like to smile without thinking,” Dr. Damla shared.

“After their implant settles in, they eat, laugh, and speak without any worry.”

Apart from the general reasons, dental implants are a great fit for you because:

• They keep your jawbone strong and defined, which can make your face shape fuller.
• They make you smile more freely. You do not have to hide your teeth in pictures or cover your mouth when you laugh anymore.
• They let you eat without fear. Apples, nuts, steaks, corn, and all other food you’ve been avoiding are all back on the menu.
• They let you speak clearly and confidently. You no longer have to worry about lisping or awkward clicking sounds.
• They improve your confidence and make you feel more like yourself again.

Of course, there are more benefits of getting dental implants. But the gist of it all is that they make your life better.

How to Get the Best Dental Implants the First Time

If your bridge is starting to fail, this could be your chance to go for something better. And if you’re ready to take that step, Turkey is one of the best places in the world to make it happen.

Turkey is known for their cosmetically advanced technologies and great dental clinics. But if they’re all so great, which one’s the best?

Awarded the best dental clinic in Europe, DentSpa in Istanbul has been helping people rebuild their smiles with dental implants for over 25 years. Every year, people from the UK, the US, and beyond, travel to DentSpa because they know they’ll get top-quality care without breaking the bank.

Despite being highly trained, decorated (professors and PhD-holders!) and experienced, the team is actually also kind and welcoming. And to give you an all-around great experience, the clinic feels more like a spa than a hospital ER.

You can reach out to them via their website.

For those who are inspired by this MedClinics blog, remember that your path to a new smile is just a phone call away. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact MedClinics. There you will be in the best hands.

Get a free consultation and a no-obligation quote now!

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