After losing a tooth, it’s important to consider the best solution for replacing it as soon as possible. Fortunately, many people can benefit from a healthier, fuller smile with the help of the right custom-designed tooth replacement. Traditionally, this meant a dental bridge that consists of a highly lifelike replacement tooth and one or two supportive dental crowns. However, for some patients, a dental implant may be a better solution for supporting their lifelike tooth replacement.
Traditional dental bridges and crowns
A conventional dental bridge has long been a common solution for replacing a lost or extracted tooth. As such, dental bridges play a significant role in many people’s continued good oral health and bite function. The conventional design of a bridge consists of a the custom-designed, highly lifelike replacement tooth, known as a pontic, and one or a pair of dental crowns that support it. These crowns are bonded to the healthy, natural teeth that are nearest to your lost tooth, which are referred to as abutment teeth. The crowns keep your pontic steady as you bite and chew, and are designed to closely blend in with your healthy, natural teeth for optimal cosmetic results.
An implant-supported replacement tooth
While dental bridges are highly effective at replacing lost teeth, increasingly more patients are benefiting from choosing a dental implant-supported dental crown. Like a dental bridge, an implant consists of a lifelike dental crown to replace your lost tooth. However, the replacement is supported by a dental implant post that mimics how a natural root supports your healthy tooth. The implant post is placed in the jawbone in the area where you lost the tooth, and it can be utilized to support your dental crown in a more lifelike manner.
Are there benefits to a dental implant?
If you’ve lost a tooth, your dentist will consult with you personally to determine if a traditional dental bridge or a dental implant and crown is best for your smile. For many people, a dental implant can provide several important benefits, including avoiding the need to place dental crowns on healthy remaining teeth. These benefits can also include providing a higher level of stability for your replacement tooth and helping to preserve the strength and integrity of your jawbone around the lost tooth.
Learn which tooth replacement is best for you
Replacing your lost tooth with the right dental bridge or dental implant restoration can be essential in preserving your long-term smile and oral health. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
