Single Tooth Dental Implants – Bloomfield, CT
The Best Way to Fill the Gap
Some individuals who are missing one tooth choose not to replace it. They may reason that since they can still chew most foods without too much discomfort, there is no reason to spend time and money on tooth replacement. They might not even be concerned about how the missing tooth affects their facial aesthetics. However, such people do not realize that even a single missing tooth can lead to serious consequences! For example, the adjacent teeth may drift out of place or even fall out altogether. Plus, the bone that once supported the tooth will begin to deteriorate. Learn more about smile restoration with single tooth dental implants in Bloomfield, CT.
If you have a missing tooth, it would be wise for you to replace it as soon as possible. At Family Dental Practice of Bloomfield, we offer a few treatments that can restore your lost dentition.
Single Tooth Replacement Options
Either a traditional fixed bridge or a single tooth implant may be able to replace your lost tooth.
A traditional fixed bridge, sometimes called crown and bridgework, uses your remaining natural teeth to support an artificial tooth. The teeth next to the empty space (the abutment teeth), receive custom crowns. The crowns anchor the tooth that “bridges” the gap. A fixed bridge can be quite sturdy and prevent dental drift. Depending on the material used to create it, it can even be quite natural-looking. Many people opt for a traditional bridge because the treatment is reliable, quick, and relatively affordable.
A single tooth dental implant, on the other hand, does not rely on abutment teeth for support. Rather, the implant replaces the root of the missing tooth. It gets placed into the jawbone in a minimally invasive surgery. After it has had some time to bond with the tissue around it, we design a custom crown to go on top of the implant and replace the visible potion of the missing tooth.
The Benefits of Dental Implant Supported Single Tooth Replacement
Either a fixed bridge or a dental implant can restore a patient’s chewing power and prevent many future dental problems. However, we usually recommend dental implants as the best way to replace missing teeth. We do so because:
- An implant preserves more natural dentition. Placing a traditional bridge requires us to significantly modify the abutment teeth. A dental implant is self-supporting, so it allows the adjacent teeth to remain intact.
- An implant looks and feels more natural. A dental implant closely mimics the structure of a natural tooth. It can thus provide extremely sturdy function that feels almost exactly like that of a real tooth.
- An implant lasts many decades. A traditional bridge may last for 10 years or so, but a dental implant has the potential to last for a lifetime if it receives proper care.
- An implant supports bone health. Because an implant bonds with the tissue around it, it helps to keep the jawbone strong and dense.
Contact Us to Learn More
Would you like to learn more about how our team can replace your missing tooth? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.