Typically, a bridge or a partial will be held in place with crowns or metal clasps. However, these usually need to be replaced after about five years. However, if we secure them with dental implants, then you have the opportunity to enjoy a prosthetic that lasts for decades! In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist is talking about the benefits of an implant supported tooth replacement option.
What Makes Me a Candidate?
First, we need to examine your smile to identify the factors behind your tooth loss. If you lost a tooth due to periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease, then we may need to treat the issue to manage the disease, otherwise your implants could become lost. In addition, we begin to lose jaw bone mass and density following the loss of one or more teeth. If we lose enough structure, we may not be able to support a dental implant without first undergoing jawbone grafting and ridge augmentation to restore the missing mass and density. If you don’t have these underlying oral health concerns, or once we address them, then we will be able to move forward with placement.
The Bridge and Partial Prosthetic
The dental bridge is designed to address between one and three lost teeth in a row. The prosthetic contains one or more pontics, or replacement teeth, with crowns attached to each end. We create them from ceramic, a strong and durable material that can absorb bite forces. The material can also be shaded to blend with your smile, matching the color of surrounding teeth.
The partial is designed to address more severe cases of missing teeth, even those in which there are lost teeth spread out across the arch. We recommend the prosthetic for those in need of more than a bridge, but not yet a full denture. The prosthetic contains your new teeth set in an acrylic base that looks like gum tissue. We again take care to ensure they look natural and blend with your smile, while still providing a durable and dependable chewing surface.
Placing Your Dental Implant
A bridge usually requires crowns placed onto the natural teeth for support, and a partial needs metal clasps attached to natural teeth. However, with dental implants we insert a screw like device that acts as a new tooth roots and supports the new teeth. Since this stimulates the growth of jawbone tissue, this also helps prevent loss of mass and density, ensuring your new teeth last for decades to come! After placement, we attach the prosthetic for a fixed solution to tooth loss.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TREATING TOOTH LOSS?
We’re ready to help you enjoy a full smile once again by supporting a bridge or denture with dental implants. To learn more about restoring the health, function, and beauty of your smile, then call James Stewart, DDS, dental implant office in Livonia, MI, at (734) 425-4400. We also serve the residents of Farmington, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and all surrounding communities.
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