We want to help ensure our patients enjoy healthy smiles, which means addressing problems that arise, such as tooth loss. Missing teeth can have a negative impact on the health of your smile. Fortunately, we can replace your lost teeth with a prosthetic, such as a bridge or implant. Do you need a bridge or an implant to restore your smile to full function and health?
Dental Bridge
A bridge is a very common method of replacing one to three lost teeth (provided they are in a row). The prosthetic consists of the replacement tooth, or pontic, and crowns on each side. The crowns will be placed on the remaining natural teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. Once placed, they secure the new tooth. A bridge can prevent misalignment from developing and lasts between 10 and 15 years on average.
Dental Implant
A dental implant is actually inserted directly into the jaw, where it stimulates jawbone growth and acts as a new root. A restoration is then added to the implant. The new tooth is strong and can last a lifetime. We can use a single one to replace one tooth or add several to support a fixed prosthetic, such as a full or partial set of dentures.
The Health Risks Associated with Tooth Loss
How does tooth loss hurt our smile? When we lose a tooth misalignment can develop as surrounding teeth drift from their positions. In addition, the jawbone surrounding the lost tooth can dissolve and eventually lead to facial collapse. Finally, losing multiple teeth can impact your diet. People forced to subsist on a diet of mainly soft foods can end up being deprived of essential nutrients, hurting their overall health as well.
