Each and every patient deserves a magnificent smile. Due to the incredible advances in aesthetic dentistry, there's no need for anyone to settle for less. With dental implants, missing teeth can now be easily, comfortably and most importantly, permanently replaced.
3-unit Bridge - The Traditional Option
Traditionally, a bridge has been the standard of care for replacing a missing tooth. Constructed of metal sub-frames and tooth-colored porcelain, bridges are fabricated to approximately match the natural shade of your existing teeth.
A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the missing tooth as support for the artificial tooth that replaces the missing natural tooth. The goal of a bridge is to restore chewing function while achieving an acceptable aesthetic outcome.
Unfortunately, since the jawbone under the replacement tooth is no longer being stimulated by being involved in the chewing function, bone is often resorbed into the body. This process creates a slowly-growing gap between the replacement tooth and the gums.
Key Features
- Slightly less expensive than a dental implant
- Achieve acceptable cosmetic outcome
- Restores chewing function
Drawbacks
- Requires healthy adjacent teeth to be ground down
- Potentially increases risk to the teeth that have been ground down
- Bone resorption results in compromises cosmetics over time
- Life span of only 5 to 7 years traditionally
- May contain metal
Single Tooth Implant - The State of The Art Solution
Dental implants can provide a more advanced replacement option for replacing a missing tooth than a traditional bridge, while preserving adjacent teeth.
Dental implants are small titanium screws designed specifically to replace a natural tooth root. Dental implants provide a highly biocompatible surface that encourages bone to attach to the implant during healing through a process called osseointegration. This process of bone attachment ensures long-term results.
Dental implants do not require adjacent teeth to be ground down or modified in any way. The implant also provides the added benefit of creating stimulation to the underlying bone.
Restoration with all-ceramic components can produce a beautiful, natural looking, translucent replacement tooth that looks almost identical to the tooth that is being replaced!
Key Features:
- Adjacent teeth remain untouched - no grinding down required
- Underlying bone integrity is preserved because stimulation is restored
- Helps to maintain long-lasting, cosmetically pleasing results
- Titanium is strong and is naturally accepted by the body resulting in a high level of osseointegration
Drawbacks
- Slightly higher cost than a bridge
When deciding between a dental implant and a three unit bridge, it is important to be educated about all of the benefits associated with choosing a dental implant. When you lose a tooth, your jawbone can shrink, aging your appearance prematurely. Implants help to prevent this premature aging.
Like natural teeth, your newly restored dental implant will be strong, stable and secure so you can comfortably eat all your favorite foods. Dental implants are a long-lasting solution - often lasting an entire lifetime.
And perhaps most importantly, your beautiful new teeth can give you back the confidence you may have lost when you lost a tooth. They can transform your daily life and can lead to a happier you!
If you'd like to know more about deciding between a dental implant and a three-unit bridge, visit implant manufacturer, Nobel Biocare on the web at www.nobelsmile.com. For an implant dentist in the Oakland County, Wayne County, or Macomb County, Michigan area, visit Dr. Nemeth and Associates on the web at www.drnemeth.com or call (248) 357-3100 to schedule a consultation visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment