Losing a tooth, or teeth has a significant influence on your smile’s appearance. It can also create issues with functionality like speaking and eating. This can cause problems with self-confidence. Two common solutions a dentist in Revere, MA may discuss with you are a dental implant or a bridge. Either of these treatment options can address the problem, but they have many differences worth considering. It is important to understand these two options and what they entail to be sure they meet your individual needs.
What is a dental implant?
Most people are surprised to learn how complicated the structure of a tooth is. When the tooth’s structure is removed, which includes bone, nerves, and ligaments, the surrounding areas start to deteriorate slowly. Dental implants provide a replacement for this structure. An implant involves placing a metal post in the jaw. Once it is healed, a crown is placed on top of the implant. It is then sealed in place.
Pros and Cons of Dental Implants
One of the main advantages of dental implants is that they help heal and maintain the gums and bone structure under the teeth. They are also useful for reducing long-term risks a missing tooth poses to the jaw. An implant can be expected to last a lifetime. The disadvantage of a dental implant is they are expensive. However, here at Petinge Dental, we offer CareCredit financing so that you can budget the cost of care over time. .. When replacing numerous teeth, your dentist near Lynn, MA will likely recommend a bridge instead. Implants also take longer to complete. Oral surgery is needed in most cases and it can take the mouth quite a while to heal after the initial procedure. To complete the entire process, it can take months.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a treatment used to fill in a gap where teeth used to be. Most of the time, a bridge is anchored to two teeth located either side of the gap. A cap is placed on the two teeth to accompany the bridge which contains replacement teeth. There are different types of bridges used to fill the gap depending on the number of teeth missing and the condition of the anchoring teeth. In some cases, there might not be teeth on either side of the gap. Then the dentist can install a cantilevered bridge that is attached to just one tooth allowing the structure to hand over the gap.
Pros and Cons of Dental Bridges
The primary advantage of a dental bridge is that they are a cost-effective solution for missing teeth. Another advantage is that they don’t require surgery like bone grafting if there has been bone loss. Bridges are also a much faster solution. The biggest disadvantage is that it can put more strain on the structures around it. This is typical if two teeth are used to secure the device. A bridge isn’t expected to last a lifetime like an implant. Bridges don’t address any concerns surrounding structural deficiencies. Long-term issues as a result of bone loss may arise even though the gap was filled. A cantilevered bridge can put a lot of stress on the single tooth used to anchor it. This can lead to problems. Bridges must be properly maintained or it can lead to the loss of more teeth.
Contact Petinge Dental
If you are missing teeth, contact your local dentist, Dr. Stephen Petinge, in Lynn, MA. Our dental professionals can perform an exam to determine the best treatment for you. Let us help you replace missing teeth with a dental bridge or an implant.
