Do you have a tooth that needed to be extracted, and now you have a gap in your smile that you want to fix? If so, it helps to know what your options are for fixing that missing tooth.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a common method used to replace a missing tooth. It involves supporting a false tooth between two healthy teeth, essentially creating what looks like a bridge between the teeth. A dental bridge can be a quick and effective way of replacing the tooth since it can be done in two visits to the dentist.
The first visit will involve preparing the surrounding teeth for the dental bridge. It is actually necessary to alter the structure of those teeth so that they can support a dental crown. An impression is made of your mouth to record the exact shape of the teeth and the size of the gap. A bridge will then be created over the next few weeks.
You'll come back to the dentist to have it installed during a second visit. The bridge will be secured to your teeth with dental cement, making it a permanent fixture of your mouth. While it is permanent, be aware that a dental bridge can become damaged over time and even become detached from the teeth.
Dental Implant
A dental implant is a more unique way to replace a missing tooth. This is because it involves placing a titanium post in your jawbone, which will integrate with it as the jawbone heals around it. The titanium post acts as if it was a real tooth root, giving your jawbone stimulation over time to keep it healthy.
What makes a dental implant different from a dental bridge is that the implant doesn't impact the surrounding teeth that are healthy. You can have a single implant placed to fix a missing tooth if that's all you need. If the surrounding teeth end up having health issues as well, it won't impact the health of your dental implant unless the jawbone structure deteriorates.
One of the downsides to a dental implant is the cost since it is much more expensive than getting a dental bridge. The recovery process can also be quite long since you need the jawbone to accept the implant and heal around it. It can be several months until you are ready to get the final crown placed on your teeth.
Contact your dentist for more information about dental bridges.
Share15 March 2022
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