When you have multiple missing teeth, eating can be difficult. Getting those teeth replaced is one way to get back to normalcy, but not every tooth replacement method is equal when it comes to providing you with a natural chewing and teeth-grinding experience. If you're curious about the differences between bridges, dentures, and dental implants, and which can give you the best results with eating naturally, here's what you should know.

Bridges

Dental bridges, as the name implies, are dental prosthetics that are designed to bridge the gap between real teeth. They're mounted to a real tooth or dental implant on each side, and fill the gap between them.

Dental bridges are a good choice for replacing missing teeth, and they generally provide people with a decent chewing and eating experience. Dental bridges can take a fair amount of pressure and strain, but it's also possible for them to become damaged or dislodged. While you'll be able to chew soft and firm foods well, your dentist may advise you against things like nuts, brittle, and other hard or sticky foods that could damage your bridge.

Dentures

Another option is dentures, a classic. Dentures are affordable and have stood the test of time, acting as a dental replacement much longer than bridges or dental implants. However, they have their problems.

As you probably know, dentures are designed to be taken out, typically at night while you rest. When you need them, dentures adhere to the gums via gel or other adhesives. These adhesives work well but can become broken or dislodged more easily than even bridges. Chewing on particularly hard or sticky foods can cause this to happen, which may mean limiting your diet to certain options.

Implants

Finally, there are dental implants, the newest method of dental replacement on this list. Dental implants take more time to get set up and can be a bit more costly, but they're also the longest-lasting and most natural experience among these three options. Dental implants are mounted directly into the bone of your jaw, just like real teeth. When the bone seals up around the implants, it prevents them from moving or becoming dislodged. Dental implants can typically tolerate chewing through just about anything, whether they're hard or sticky. In most cases, even if the crown on top of the implant is dislodged, you can simply have it put back in place or replaced by a new one, rather than having to get a whole new set of dental replacements. 

If eating normally is your goal, dental implants will let you enjoy the experience without having to worry about what you're about to eat.

For more information on dental implants, contact a dentist near you.