Tooth loss can lead to several oral health complications. So you should seek tooth replacement from your dentist as soon as you can. You can get the most comprehensive restorative benefits by replacing missing teeth with dental implants.
Implants can provide long-lasting dental restoration, and you can choose from multiple options that suit your unique needs. Schedule a consult with your dentist to learn which dental implant option will best restore your oral health. In the meantime, you can read on to learn about three types of dental implants that can replace missing teeth.
Which Dental Implant Type Will Work for Me?
Single Dental Implant
If you want to replace one missing tooth with a reliable prosthetic, you should consider a single dental implant. You can receive more than one of these types of implants if needed to fully restore your smile.
To complete this treatment, a dentist will begin by surgically placing a titanium post anchor into the jaw. It fuses with the bone as it heals over several months.
When healed, you return to your dentist’s office to receive a custom dental prosthetic attached to this anchor at the gum line. For a single implant, it will be a crown that secures to an abutment.
This treatment fills gaps in your smile with a finish that looks gorgeous and natural in the mouth. You can feel confident in how your smile looks again, and you can be sure your prosthetic will resist stains and keep looking its best.
Implant-Secured Dental Bridge
An implant-secured dental bridge can replace three or more missing teeth in a row. It uses two titanium post anchors: one to support each end of the bridge prosthetic.
You will not have to worry about your device slipping out of place at an inopportune moment, as you might with a removable tooth replacement solution. You can eat, speak, and perform other oral functions with renewed capability. A dental implant will remain in place for about thirty years. So you will not have to worry about extra maintenance or replacing your device.
All-on-Four Dental Implant
As its name implies, the All-on-Four dental implant will replace an entire arch of missing teeth using four anchors to support the denture prosthetic. This can be placed on the top or bottom arch or both if needed.
Removable dentures can improve the look and function of your smile after tooth loss, but only dental implants replace teeth below the gumline. The anchors replace the missing tooth root after tooth loss. This will prevent jawbone loss and more complications that can arise when you lose one or more teeth.
However, not every patient qualifies for this comprehensive tooth replacement treatment. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health to determine your eligibility when you schedule a consultation.