Fill in the Gap and Reclaim Your Smile
If you are missing just one tooth, you may not be in any hurry to replace it. After all, you can still eat without too much inconvenience, and you might not be concerned about aesthetics. But did you know that even a single missing tooth can have devastating consequences for your oral health? Your remaining teeth may drift out of place, leading to misalignment and TMJ problems. The bone and gum tissue in the area will begin to deteriorate. You may even eventually suffer from further tooth loss. Fortunately, your dentist in Northgate offers single tooth dental implants that can prevent such issues and help you to once again enjoy a healthy, complete smile.
Single Tooth Replacement Options
There are two treatments that are able to replace a single tooth:
A fixed bridge is a dental prosthesis that “bridges” the gap between your remaining natural teeth. A traditional bridge consists of two crowns, which get placed on the abutment teeth (the ones adjacent to the empty space), and an artificial tooth that is suspended between them. This type of restoration may be made of metal or porcelain and tends to be quite sturdy. It can last for a decade or longer, can prevent dental drift, and may look and feel quite natural. It is also a relatively fast and affordable way to replace a tooth.
A single tooth implant does not rely on your natural teeth for support. Rather, it is a small titanium post that gets surgically placed beneath the gum line in a minimally invasive procedure. The implant bonds with the bone around it, enabling it to act as a substitute for the root of a missing tooth. Once this fusion process is finished (which may take several months), Dr. Sage places a crown on top of the implant to replace the visible portion of the missing tooth.
The Benefits of Implant-Supported Single Tooth Replacement
A fixed bridge is an excellent tooth replacement option, but dental implants in Northgateare superior for a number of reasons:
- Placing a fixed bridge requires the removal of a significant amount of enamel from the abutment teeth so they can fit well underneath the crowns. Implants do not require this step and thus help to preserve as much healthy dentition as possible.
- Since an implant provides comprehensive tooth replacement, it is the most natural-feeling way to fill in a gap.
- The implant bonds with the bone, helping to keep the jaw strong and dense. A fixed bridge does not support bone health.
- A dental implant has the potential to last for several decades, whereas a fixed bridge has a more limited lifespan.
- An implant tends to be even stronger than a bridge and is extremely easy to care for.
If you have any questions about our services, please contact us today at (206) 362-6677.