If you’re missing 1 to 3 teeth, dental implants can help restore your smile. Depending on your level of tooth loss, a single dental implant may work for you, or you may need to explore other options—like a 3 unit bridge.
If you are living with missing teeth or need to have one or more teeth extracted, reach out to your dentist to better understand your restorative options and give you a real reason to smile!
Tooth Replacement is Essential
While many people will live with a missing tooth for years, they are truly risking their health by doing so. Your oral health can be noticeably affected. Gaps between teeth allow your teeth to drift into the wrong places. This means that the surrounding teeth shift to fill the space left by missing teeth.
Bone and tissue loss may not affect how your smile looks, but it can be detrimental to your oral health long term. Your jawbone density and gum tissue are shaped by the roots of your teeth. Stimulation from the roots keeps the jawbone healthy and gum tissue full. When there is an empty space, the gum tissue recedes, and you are more likely to experience jawbone deterioration.
Combining Dental Implants and Dental Crowns
A crown is a prosthetic tooth that can replace the visible part of your missing teeth. Crowns are made to fit your bite and will help retain the shape of your mouth.
The dental implant replaces the parts of your teeth that reside beneath your gum line. If you’re missing a single tooth, a dental implant can be placed within the jawbone to anchor your dental crown in place, providing a long-lasting tooth replacement.
Combing Dental Bridges and Dental Implants
A dental bridge or fixed bridge works just the way that it sounds. The way that a bridge connects one road to another, a dental bridge creates a connection between the two natural teeth on either side.
A dental implant can be placed in the jawbone on each side of the affected area. These dental implants will help your dental prosthetics to stay in place without having to cement them to your natural teeth.
Pros and Cons of Implant-Retained Crowns and Bridges
Unlike partial dentures or other tooth replacement options, crown and bridge retention is permanent. Your replacement tooth or teeth become a natural part of your smile.
You do not have to remove them for cleaning. They can be cleaned as part of your regular hygiene routine. The types of foods you are able to chew will not be limited as they are even with partial dentures.
The only thing that may be considered a drawback about either of these implant retained options is that there are a few things that patients must do to prepare for implant placement. For example, if your jawbone has deteriorated, you may need to undergo a bone grafting procedure. Or, if you smoke tobacco, you must be prepared to stop smoking during the placement and healing period.
The best way to decipher whether implant retained crowns and bridges are the best tooth replacement option for you is to visit your dentist.
About Our Office
When you need advanced or specialty dentistry services like tooth replacement and oral surgery, you’ve turned to the best trained dentists in the area. If you need dental implants in Jacksonville, Dr. Nawrocki and Dr. Aguila have the training, resources, and supportive office team to help you throughout the whole process. If you would like to meet with either of our dental experts, feel free to call our office by dialing (904) 683-4781.