When you have multiple missing teeth, you have some options available to you on how to replace them. Two of these options are partial dentures and dental bridges. If you're trying to decide between these two options, then here's what you need to know in order to choose the one that's right for you.

Permanence

The first thing to consider is which of the options will last you the longest. No matter which you choose, it'll be a financial investment, so you should get the most bang for your buck.

In this department, dental bridges are the clear winner. On average, you can expect dentures to last anywhere from five to seven years. That's not bad, but you can do better with dental bridges. Dental bridges are estimated to last 10 to 15 years. Of course, how long your replacement will last will depend on a variety of factors, including how well you take care of your new dental appliance, but ultimately dental bridges are likely to last longer than dentures.

Stability

Another thing to consider is how stable your new tooth replacement will be. Many people dislike dentures because they have a tendency to pop out when placed under pressure or when the adhesive is applied wrong or in insufficient quantities. With that in mind, dental bridges are once again the clear-cut winner.

Dental bridges are intended to be a permanent fix, and not one that's taken out in order to be cleaned. Once the dental bridge is on, it isn't taken off for anything, unless it needs to be repaired by a dentist. What this means is that a dental bridge won't wiggle or move around and pop out like dentures can, which can save you a lot of embarrassment.

Getting One

If you've made up your mind and now believe that dental bridges are the superior option, then here's what you need to know about getting one.

Getting a dental bridge is a straightforward process. You'll have a talk and an examination with a dentist to ensure that you're a valid candidate for getting a dental bridge. If you are, your dentist will take measurements with a mold and x-rays so that they can have a custom set of dental crowns on a bridge crafted for you. Once this process is complete, you'll come in to the office to have it put in place.

Dental bridges are an affordable, long-lasting, and stable form of tooth replacement. If you want what's best for your smile, you'll choose dental bridges over partial dentures.