There are many advantages of dental implants over fixed bridges. They can be fixed with no change to the overall structure of the face or jawbone, as is often the case when a tooth is removed. When teeth are extracted, the jawbone is not stimulated by the chewing action, so it loses its shape. There is also no need to interfere with the teeth on each side of the implant. With a fixed bridge, these teeth have to be cut down.

In fact, an implant does not need to have a tooth on each side of it. And where there is a gap from several missing teeth, implants can be used right across the space. Implants are easier to maintain and last longer than fixed bridges, which often have to be replaced due to dental caries underneath or in the teeth on either side.

Implants are more expensive initially, but over a seven-year period their maintenance works out much cheaper than that for fixed bridges. Implant fixtures hardly ever need to be replaced since they are not prone to tooth decay or any other disease. Fixed bridges usually last about 10 years - 15 at the most, then they need replacing.

Mel writes about dentists and dental implant to help you stay up to date on the latest in the dentists chair at http://www.d-spa.com.au