Do you have missing teeth or are you having problems with a denture or bridge that doesn't fit? If so, you should consider getting dental implants. Dental implants, which are the closest thing to real teeth, are designed to look, feel and function like your natural teeth so you can trust your smile. Full-arch dental implants, sometimes referred to as an “implant bridge” or “all over four”, are less likely to loosen over time and are fixed. Preserves bone and muscle tone and allows you to eat and talk with confidence.
Full-arch dental implants are the closest tooth replacement option to natural teeth and are also the least bulky option. Unlike a removable denture, a fixed bridge is cemented in place. The teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are plugged (or crowned) and connected to a false tooth. Usually, the bridge is made of a metal base with tooth-colored porcelain or can be completely made of porcelain.
A dental implant is considered a safe and stable replacement for a missing tooth. The best part? Most of the procedures offered by a dental school in each area are 30 to 50 percent less than the same procedures in a private practice, Wolff says. Consult your dentist for guidance on how to choose the right tooth replacement. Your dentist will perform an interview and dental exam to determine which option is best for you. Dental implants are the safest option, but they require healthy gum and jaw tissue.
Implant-supported and teeth-supported bridges can replace several teeth at a time, and dentures are an affordable option for those who want to avoid surgery. Because these options require at least several weeks, if you are missing a tooth in a prominent area (such as a front tooth), you can ask your dentist about a temporary tooth. Advances in prosthetic dentistry have made it possible to fill spaces with bridges and implants that are more functional and attractive than the teeth they have replaced. At 64, the average adult has three or more missing or decayed teeth, according to the American Dental Association.
Implants create a solid base for fixed or removable teeth, made to match natural teeth by replacing tooth roots with titanium posts and securing replacement teeth in place. Dental implants are one of the options you can explore if you're looking to replace missing teeth. A bridge with dental support is an excellent option for patients who do not have the required maxillary density to receive an implant or who do not want to undergo a surgery. The process of implementing a fixed bridge generally involves several visits to the dentist, since the process of placing the implant, customizing the bridge, and placing the bridge at the location of the missing teeth takes time.
Depending on the patient's dental history and lifestyle, one replacement option may be more suitable for the patient than the others. You might be surprised to learn that in addition to routine dental care, you can also undergo tooth replacement procedures at dental schools. Dental implants are recommended for those who want to replace a tooth with a single, safe replacement that can last a lifetime. Once in the office, your dentist will be able to examine the area, take some X-rays and determine what options are available, Cram says. While all of these options help restore the functionality and appearance of a person's mouth, they also differ in several ways.
While a bridge supported by an implant is less secure than a dental implant, the procedure is less expensive and invasive than replacing each missing tooth with an implant. The best option for everyone is different depending on their particular situation, their budget and their overall dental health. That said, dental implants provide the look and feel of natural teeth and can last for years, if not decades, without the need for repair or replacement.
