If you’re dealing with missing teeth, the good news is that you have a variety of dental restoration procedures that can give you back your smile.
Two very popular procedures are dental implants and dental bridges, both of which can help restore both the function and look of your smile. But which one is better for you?
How Dental Implants and Bridges Work
A dental implant is a dental prosthetic made of three components:
- The metal root
- The abutment
- The dental crown
The dental root will get implanted into the jaw to replace the missing tooth. Because of this, the dental implant will perfectly resemble a natural tooth and provide you with a very discreet restoration option. But, healing after getting an implant can take even as long as 6 months because we need to make sure your jaw and tissue fully heal around the metal post before the other elements can be attached.
Bridges, on the other hand, are a bit less invasive because they do not replace a tooth’s root. Bridges are more like dental crowns which go on top of the natural tooth to restore their strength and look.
However, the bridges will require to permanently alter the natural teeth that they will cover. We will have to reduce the size of the tooth and change its shape, so getting a bridge is a permanent procedure.
Which Procedure Is Right for You?
Dental bridges are designed to replace 2-3 teeth sitting next to each other. It’s usually recommended when a patient has some dental issues that have not affected the teeth’s roots. So instead of opting for an extraction and going the implant route, the dentist will most likely want to save your natural root and place a bridge on top.
Dental implants are a great option if you’ve lost some teeth, or if your teeth are so damaged that they need to be extracted. While dental implants usually replace one tooth, there are also implant-supported dentures available if you are dealing with multiple missing teeth.
Am I a Good Candidate for Either?
People who are in generally good oral health are usually great candidates for both bridges and dental implants in Fairhope. However, it does depend on your specific circumstance.
Before recommending any procedure, the dentist will carefully inspect your oral health in order to establish your current condition, and devise an appropriate treatment plan for you. Based on this assessment, they can also help you choose between dental implants and bridges.
How Living Oaks Dental Can Help
If you are dealing with missing teeth, Dr. Gene Brabston is here to help you restore your smile! Whether you need implants, bridges, or other types of dental restorations, Dr.Brabston will make sure you access the best treatment for your specific case.
To get started, please book an appointment at Living Oaks Dental online.
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