There are several options available to patients after losing a tooth. One of the more popular options -- and perhaps the longest-lasting solution – is implant dentistry. This involves the placement of one or more dental implants, followed by the attachment of abutments and a crown, bridge, or denture.
Depending on the number of teeth that are being replaced, a dentist may recommend either an implant-supported crown, implant-supported bridge, or implant-supported denture. The following is a detailed review of each dental implant option for long-lasting tooth (or teeth) replacement.
Implant-supported crowns are dental restorations that involve the placement of a dental implant above or below a missing tooth, followed by the attachment of a dental abutment and a dental crown. The dental implant is made of titanium and goes through osseointegration with the jawbone to provide a secure and reliable hold for the dental crown. The dental crown is usually made of a tooth-colored ceramic material that is indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Implant dentistry can also work for replacing multiple teeth as well. When replacing a section of teeth, dentists may recommend an implant-supported dental bridge. This includes at least two dental implants strategically positioned on each side of the bridge followed by the attachment of the abutments and dental bridge. Similar to implant-supported crowns, implant-supported bridges use ceramic crowns to complete the restoration.
Implant-supported dentures follow a similar concept as implant-supported bridges. In fact, many refer to bridges as implant-supported partial dentures. For complete dentures supported by implants, four (or sometimes five) implants are positioned inside the jaw, and the complete denture is attached to the abutments of each dental implant. This minimizes the invasiveness of the implant dentistry process while still providing the patient with a high-quality and long-lasting smile.
There are two main methods for traditional tooth replacement: a fixed dental bridge and a removable denture. A fixed bridge requires at least one (often two) healthy natural teeth, one on each side of the missing tooth, used as abutments for the crown restoration. A partial denture rests upon and is supported by the gums. Unfortunately, neither option is as strong or long-lasting as implant dentistry restorations. In fact, with minimal repairs to the restorations, dental implants can last for more than twenty years. In contrast, removable dentures typically last less than a decade, and a fixed bridge does not last nearly as long.
We encourage you to give us a call if you are considering implant dentistry for long-lasting tooth replacement. Our mission is to help patients achieve an attractive and healthy smile, and we take pride in providing implant dentistry options that are reliable and last for a long time.
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We encourage you to give us a call if you are considering implant dentistry for long-lasting tooth replacement. Our mission is to help patients achieve an attractive and healthy smile, and we take pride in providing implant dentistry options that are reliable and last for a long time.
Request an appointment or call Premier Dental Care Of Utah at 801-316-6577 for an appointment in our West Valley City office.
Implant dentistry is growing in popularity due to the unique benefits that it offers over other alternatives for multiple teeth replacement. The most commonly recommended treatment options for implant dentistry when replacing more than one tooth are implant-supported bridges and implant-supported dentures.This review discusses the primary types of implant dentistry options for patients seeking teeth…
Your implant dentist may refer to a part of your dental implant restoration as an “abutment.” For many, this is a new term, and understanding what the implant dentist means can be helpful to feel more comfortable about what you can expect with the treatment process and your restoration.A dental abutment is a connecting piece…
If you are considering implant dentistry or are about to go through the process and want to learn more about it, it is helpful to first understand the basics. Here, we will discuss the various parts that make up an implant dentistry restoration and highlight how they all work together to complete the restoration.An implant…