Straight Teeth in Less Time
2 Replacement Options For A Lost Tooth
Lois Murray
If you are thinking of having a tooth replaced, there are multiple options from which to choose. Here are two of them:
Dental Implants
Dental implants are prosthetic dental roots that are made of metal. They are surgically implanted into the patient's jawbone and fuse with the bone over time through a process called osseointegration.
The metal used in a dental implant is typically titanium. This metal is preferred because it is biocompatible, which means that it is unlikely to cause a negative immunological response or allergic reaction.
In a single tooth replacement, once the bone has fused with the implant, a connector or abutment is added to it. The wound from the addition of the abutment requires a few weeks to heal. At this point, a dental crown can be added to restore the full functionality and beauty of the tooth.
Dental implants are often preferred over many other tooth replacement options because they are most like a natural tooth. The implant is designed to last a lifetime and is as stable in the jawbone as a natural tooth.
A dental implant also helps keep other teeth from moving out of alignment by holding the place of a missing tooth. Serving as a place-keeper, the implant prevents other teeth from shifting into the empty space left by an extraction. The dental implant is also able to provide stimulation to the jawbone to help prevent a decline in jawbone density. The jawbone becomes less dense when the production of new cells is no longer stimulated.
The lack of stimulation at the site of an extraction can eventually affect remaining natural teeth. The teeth that are left in the bone may become loose when the density of the bone decreases. Over time, this can result in tooth loss.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges can also be used to replace a lost tooth. Each bridge includes a false or prosthetic tooth with a dental crown on each side of it. The dental crowns are used to hold the false teeth in place. The crowns are bonded to underlying dental implants or to remaining natural teeth.
Dental bridges are aesthetically difficult to discern from natural teeth. In addition, the bridges offer a long-term solution for the missing tooth. Dental bridges are expected to last 5 to 15 years, if not longer.
If you have a missing tooth, consult with a dentist in your area (like Oral Surgery Associates Inc and similar locations) to determine the best replacement option for you.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.