When you lose one or more teeth, you might notice a significant decline in your quality of life. You might not be able to chew the foods you love successfully. And you could suffer a blow to your self-esteem if gaps disrupt the look of your smile.
You could be at risk of further oral health complications if you do not seek tooth replacement treatment from your dentist. Dental implants will provide the most comprehensive restorative benefits for your smile after tooth loss.
Your dentist will have several types of implants to choose from depending on your unique dental needs. Read on to find three implant dentistry options that your dentist might recommend to replace your missing teeth.
Which Dental Implant Will Best Restore My Smile?
Single Dental Implant
A single dental implant is a great way to replace one missing tooth in the mouth. However, you can receive more than one of these types of implants to fully restore your smile if needed.
The implant features a titanium post anchor that a dentist surgically inserts into the jaw. As it heals, the anchor fuses with the jawbone, which may take a few months to complete. Then it serves as strong support for a prosthetic tooth made from a dental crown. The dentist attaches this crown to an abutment above the gumline after the recovery process.
You can feel confident in the way that your smile looks again with this tooth replacement solution. The implant fills gaps in your smile, and you can count on a beautiful and natural-looking finish with custom-made prosthetics.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
An implant-supported dental bridge will replace three or more missing teeth in a row. It uses two anchors – one for each end of the bridge prosthetic – and the process to receive this oral appliance is similar to that of a single dental implant.
You will notice an improvement in your oral capabilities when you receive this restorative dental treatment. The implant allows you to chew, bite, and speak without disruption. The fixed nature of this device means you do not have to worry about it slipping out of place at an inopportune moment either.
All-on-Four Dental Implant
Dental patients who need to replace an entire arch of missing teeth can benefit from an All-on-Four dental implant. As its name suggests, this implant uses four anchors to support a full arch of prosthetic teeth. You can receive this implant on the top or bottom of the mouth or both if needed.
You can experience preservation of the jawbone with a dental implant, an advantage that removable dentures cannot provide. The anchor of the implant serves as a replacement for the missing tooth root, giving stimulation to the jawbone to keep it healthy.
This can prevent further oral health problems from developing in the wake of tooth loss. Learn if you qualify for implant dentistry treatment by scheduling a consultation with your dentist today.