Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery knows that losing a tooth affects both your smile’s health and your confidence. Fortunately, modern developments in dental care offer several tooth replacement options, with dental implants being one of the most advanced and effective solutions available.
How Dental Implants Serve as a Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are specifically designed for the ability to mimic the natural structure of a tooth. As a tooth replacement, the implant itself serves as the “root” for your new tooth. An attachment called an abutment is then inserted into the top of your implant, which supports the prosthesis—or visible portion of your tooth—above the gumlines.
Depending on how extensive your tooth replacement needs are, our oral surgeon may recommend a single implant with a crown, a pair of implants with a bridge, four implants and an overdenture, or even an “All-on-4” or “All-on-6” style prosthesis.
Most notably, implants offer superior stability and chewing capability compared to all other tooth replacement options.
Tooth Replacement With Bridges vs. Implants
Dental bridges are a traditional solution for single and multiple missing teeth. While they have been widely used for decades, and are still used today, bridges do have certain limitations.
Structurally, fixed bridges consist of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) that are suspended across the area with your missing teeth. Either end of the bridge is held in place by placing crowns on the adjacent teeth. While bridges do offer long-term tooth replacement, they require altering the structure of healthy teeth in order to do so. Dental implants, on the other hand, prevent any alteration to your other teeth because they stand independently. They’re considerably less invasive than a traditional bridge. As a side note, our Midlothian implant specialist can also use implants to support bridges, limiting the total number of implants needed.
Tooth Replacement with Dentures vs. Implants
Traditional dentures are fast and economical prosthetics that work well when you need to quickly replace all of your teeth. While they have been a popular choice for tooth replacement for centuries, dentures do come with several drawbacks:
- Stability: Dentures can slip or shift more easily because they’re held in place with suction. Whereas dental implants are firmly anchored, so there’s no risk of them moving or falling out.
- Bone Health: One of the more problematic issues with dentures is that they don’t slow bone loss and can actually accelerate it in some cases. Implants promote stronger, denser bone, limiting premature aging in your face.
- Maintenance: Dentures require regular maintenance, including cleaning and adhesive application. Not to mention adjustments and relines. But implants are permanent, so you care for them more like natural teeth.
Implant Consultations in Midlothian
At Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery, we’re committed to providing you with the best care possible. If you’re considering your tooth replacement options, we encourage you to schedule a tooth replacement consultation with our implant specialist. We’ll assess your unique needs and help you make an informed decision about your options. Call us today to learn more!