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.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Implant Dentist in Tysons, VA
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 Dentplants Dental Implant Center at 703-291-9006 for an appointment in our Tysons office.
An implant dentist is a dental professional that offers dental implant restorations. Implant dentists often recommend dental implant restorations because of the benefits they offer that alternative solutions such as fixed bridges and removable dentures cannot provide.To help you decide if treatment may be right for you, this review discusses why implant restorations are so…
Implant dentistry involves teeth replacement with dental implants. One popular option within implant dentistry is an implant-supported bridge, which is ideal for replacing a section of missing teeth. The following review discusses everything you should know about an implant-supported bridge.Many are choosing implant dentistry for teeth replacement over a traditional fixed bridge and removable partial…
Dental implants are often referred to by implant dentists as artificial tooth roots. This is because they work in a similar fashion as natural tooth roots. Dental implants hold replacement teeth (i.e. dental crowns) in a stable and strong position.By learning more about dental implants, you can determine if implant dentistry is right for you…
