Tooth loss can significantly impact your quality of life. With missing teeth, you may see gaps between your teeth that hurt your confidence in your smile. And you can have trouble completing your usual oral functions.
Without tooth replacement from your dentist, you could also suffer further oral health complications. Find comprehensive restorative dental treatment with dental implants.
Whether you want to replace one, several, or an entire arch of teeth, these fixtures can serve as high-quality prosthetic teeth. Read on to find dental implant treatment options that your dentist may employ to restore your smile after tooth loss.
Types of Dental Implants
Single Dental Implant
If you want to replace one missing tooth, your dentist may recommend a single dental implant. You can receive more than one of these implants if needed to fully restore your smile. This device features a titanium post anchor that a dentist surgically inserts into the jaw. It fuses with the bone there to serve as optimal support for the prosthetic tooth.
It will take several months to heal, and then you return to the dentist to receive a dental crown atop the abutment. The custom-made prosthetic tooth will look both gorgeous and natural in your smile. Then you can feel improvement in your self-esteem with gaps filled to restore your smile’s appearance.
Dental implants do not require much additional maintenance outside of your usual oral hygiene routine. And though the process may seem lengthy, you can enjoy restorative benefits for twenty years or longer.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
An implant-supported dental bridge is ideal for a patient who seeks a replacement for three or more missing teeth in a row. The bridge prosthetic receives support from two surgically placed anchors: one for each end of the device.
The solid foundation from these anchors in the jaw ensures the implant will not slip out of place at an inopportune moment like removable appliances might. This secure fit will feel comfortable while also restoring your ability to speak and eat without issue. You can see improved quality of life with this treatment.
All-on-Four Dental Implant
The All-on-Four dental implant features a full arch of prosthetic teeth that can replace the top or bottom arch or both sets of teeth. It uses four anchors to support the fixture, as its name suggests.
Unlike removable dentures, dental implants replace teeth below the gumline as well as above. This provides additional restorative dental benefits as it will substitute the missing tooth root, which will prevent bone loss in the jaw.
Without stimulation from a tooth root, the jawbone can deteriorate, leading to a sagging appearance in the face. You can preserve your dental structure with tooth replacement through implant dentistry.
Your dentist will evaluate your oral health, including the structure of your jawbone, during a consultation to let you know if you qualify for implant dentistry treatment. If not, your dentist may suggest a bone graft to build stability in the jaw or they may give you an alternative tooth replacement treatment. If you have more questions about qualifying for dental implants, see Dental Implant FAQs.