Losing a tooth is devastating in many ways. It makes chewing your food more difficult. It may make talking or smiling at other people challenging if it's a tooth you see. The good news is that there are excellent tooth replacement options, and your team at Alta Dental can help no matter which one you pick. Here's what you should know.
The Implant vs. The Bridge: How Each Solution Works
When we're replacing a single tooth, you have two options: a single dental implant or a bridge. Both options have pros and cons we'll examine so you can make an informed decision for your smile.
Understanding the Mechanics
First, let's examine how each option works so you can understand the impacts on your smile and dental health.
- Dental Implants — An implant uses a surgically placed post that integrates with your jawbone to support a custom porcelain crown that replaces your tooth. We place the implant during a simple surgical procedure, allow it time to heal and integrate with your bone, and place a customized restoration after healing is completed.
- Dental Bridges — A bridge uses two dental crowns to support a prosthetic tooth in between. The crowns anchor to healthy teeth and hold the artificial tooth securely in place, "bridging the gap" left by the missing tooth.
The Pros and Cons
Unlike any other tooth replacement, a dental implant restores your root and tooth. This is important because it protects your facial structure by keeping your bones healthy and stimulated. It also offers excellent longevity, as implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
The downside to an implant is that it requires surgery for placement and takes 3 to 6 months to integrate with your bone before it can support a restoration.
A dental bridge is ideal for those who don't want to have surgery. However, it doesn't have the longevity of an implant and will likely need replacement after seven to 15 years. It also requires altering two healthy teeth for placement.
Contact Alta Dental
If you'd like to learn more about tooth replacement in East Vancouver, contact our team at (236) 707-5595 and book an evaluation with one of our dentists.