Your smile has always been unique. In fact, it may have even been one of your favorite features—until tooth loss happened. As you consider your replacement options, you keep hearing about how wonderful dental implants are, but could they be right for you? Can they bring back your smile’s confidence and radiance?
One of the most amazing things about dental implants is that they can be used for basically any tooth-loss situation. Whether you’re missing one tooth or a whole arch, dental implants can replace the root structure and anchor the restoration to the jawbone. Read on to learn about the types of dental implants and how they can be adapted to meet your needs.
Implant Crown
If you have lost a single tooth, one implant-retained crown is the right treatment for you. Instead of removing enamel from the surrounding teeth to support a traditional bridge, one implant replaces the entire tooth from root to crown. After the post has been placed, the jawbone grows around the post, just as it would a natural tooth root. Then, your dentist attaches an abutment or metal connection piece. At that point, they can create the custom dental crown and restore the tooth.
Implant Bridge
Although one implant crown can be used to replace one lost tooth, it doesn’t mean that every missing tooth requires its own implant. For three to five missing teeth in a row, an implant bridge provides the necessary support with only two implants. A traditional bridge is affixed to the two teeth on either side of the gap, but for an implant bridge, the implants are surgically inserted at the ends and stabilize the bridge.
Implant Denture
Don’t have any natural teeth left in an arch? Dental implants may still be a viable option for your smile. Like an implant bridge, an implant denture doesn’t need one implant per missing tooth. In fact, only four to six implants are needed to hold a full denture in place. Rather than relying on suction or adhesive, you can secure your dentures to implants, which are firmly grounded in the jawbone. As a result, you can enjoy a significantly stronger bite and have a more diverse, nutritious diet.
Ultimately, although traditional bridges and dentures are options for replacing teeth, you should seriously consider dental implants, and the best way to know which type of dental implant is right for you is to meet with your dentist in a consultation. They can examine your unique tooth-loss situation, talk with you about your needs and goals, and recommend a solution that completes your smile again.
About the Practice
At Sparkling Smiles, we are privileged to have two experienced, highly trained dentists on staff. Dr. Dave Lee and Dr. Lauren Lee Polito, Dr. Lee’s daughter, have unique backgrounds, but they share a passion for helping patients have confidence in their smiles. Dr. Lee has been practicing for nearly 40 years and takes more than 100 hours of continuing education every year. In her continuing education, Dr. Polito has focused her attention on surgical extractions, socket preservation, CEREC crowns, and implant dentures. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Sparkling Smiles to discuss your implant options, you can contact our practice through our website or by calling 770-461-6465.