Why Dental Implants Are better than Dental Bridges or Partial Dentures?

The arrival of dental Implants has revolutionized the field of dentistry drastically. Before introduction of dental implants, we really did not have any true replacement for missing teeth that came close to properties of natural teeth. 

Each option had some very significant drawbacks.  Dental bridges were the closest option but they came at a great cost. For every tooth that was replaced, usually two functional teeth were stripped of their enamel. That significantly reduced their life expectancy. 

Teeth that hold a fixed dental bridge are more likely to be lost than unprepared healthy teeth in your mouth. This is primarily due to grinding that is required to prepare them for the task. This will obviously weaken them. They can also become sensitive and might require root canal treatment. Dental bridges are also difficult to clean and floss because they are connected to each other.  Aside from that, Dental bridges did not prevent the jaw bone loss (shrinkage) that usually occurs after loss of the tooth.

Removable appliances such as partial and full denture were even more inferior to natural teeth that they replaced. The difference in chewing forces in a person with natural teeth and one who wears dentures is dramatic. In the molar region of a person with natural teeth, the average force has been measured around 250 pounds per square inch. The maximum force in denture patient is reduced to less than 50 psi. Individuals wearing dentures for more than 15 years may have a maximum chewing force of only 5.6 psi.

As a result of this decreased force and instability of dentures, chewing efficiency is severely compromised. Many patients with dentures will avoid most hard food, some are only able to eat soft or mashed food, and some claim they eat more efficiently without their dentures. Lower intake of fruits, vegetables, and vitamin A in these individuals leads to digestive and other systemic disorders. As a result, these individuals take more drugs/supplements compared to those with natural teeth and better chewing ability.

Several reports correlate individuals’ health and life spans to their dental health. These reports point to significant relationship between dental disease and cardiovascular disease, the latter being a major cause of death today. It is therefore easy to believe that restoring the dental function of these individuals to a more normal function may indeed enhance the quality and length of their lives.
Without a real compatible replacement, dentists all over the world have been taking very creative measures to save a hopeless tooth.

“Herodontics” is a term used by some to describe measures far beyond reasonable to salvage a failing tooth. I can offer many examples but I am sure you have heard or experienced some yourself. Heroics like this are costly, time-consuming, difficult to perform, and, sadly, ineffective in the long run.

In today’s modern dentistry, the most acceptable solution for replacing a missing tooth is dental implant. From the replacement of a single missing tooth to extensive full mouth reconstruction, dental implants offer you the best and most complete solution available.


In the past 15 years implant dentistry has evolved into a predictable treatment model for replacement of missing teeth. Advantages of implants over traditional dentures and bridges make them the best choice for this purpose. Fortunately, the awareness in the general public about dental implants and their advantages has increased significantly.

About the author: Dr. Noie has been in private practice in the Bay Area since 1996. He is a Diplomate of Int’l Congress of Oral Implantologists, Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry, and Assoc. Fellow of American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He has completed his surgical training at New York University as well as Medical University of South Carolina, Temple University, and Wright state University School of Medicine. He completed his oral Anesthesiology training at University of Alabama in Birmingham. He is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To find out if you are a suitable candidate for dental Implants, please contact Dr. Noie via his web site: www.drnoie.com or call his office at (281) 332-4700 to schedule a complimentary consultation.