Dental implants provide long-lasting, permanent replacements for missing teeth. When you only need to replace one or two teeth, they also give you the advantage of not having to restructure adjacent teeth as is necessary with bridges and some other types of partial dentures. A consultation with an implant dentist will help you determine how implants can help you regain your perfect smile.
Implants vs. Bridges
When only a few teeth are being replaced, one frequently used option for replacement is a bridge. Bridges are partial, permanent dentures, and can be anchored with wires or by attaching the prosthetic teeth to adjacent teeth. In both approaches, the adjacent teeth must have material removed to make room for the wires or crowns that hold the bridge in place.
A crown and bridge replacement usually involves a denture with one or two teeth, anchored by crowns on either side of the prosthetic teeth. So, two teeth must be restructured to make room for the crowns. Bridges anchored with wires require less restructuring, but still involve modifying the adjacent teeth.
How Implants Work
Dental implants do not require adjacent teeth to be modified in anyway. Instead, an artificial root made of titanium is placed directly in the jawbone. If only one tooth is missing, one root is placed and a single prosthetic tooth is attached to it. Because the implant is anchored in the jawbone, adjacent teeth can be left unmodified.
If two or more teeth are missing, a similar process allows you to have each tooth replaced individually, with each new tooth anchored by its own implant, or two or more teeth supported by one or two implants. Your implant dentist will evaluate your bone mass as well as the condition of your gums and other factors to determine how many implants will give you the best support for your new, replacement teeth.
If you are missing one or more teeth, please contact our caring dental team to schedule a consultation to find out how dental implants can give you back a fully intact, natural looking smile. Call our office today.