Why Choose Dental Implants for Single Tooth Replacement

by Nick Wattson The time has gone when you need to hide face becau

When a tooth is lost to decay, an accident, or a deep crack, you have two options for replacing it: a dental bridge or a dental implant. A bridge is a one-piece construction that fits over the teeth adjacent to your gap, while dental implants Brooklyn NY replace the root of your lost tooth. After an implant has healed and integrated with the jaw bone, a crown can be attached to replace the tooth.

Unfortunately, many patients choose to get a dental bridge because it is faster, easier, and less expensive. However, there are several reasons why you should consider dental implants instead.

Dental implants are freestanding

Since an implant and crown combination replaces the whole tooth, root to crown, it is an independent construction. It neither relies on other teeth for stability, nor is it affected by what happens to other teeth. The same can’t be said of a dental bridge. A bridge construction uses the teeth next to the gap to support a prosthetic tooth. This means that if either of those teeth should need restoration in the future (a root canal or filling), the whole bridge must come down. A new bridge may be possible after the tooth has been restored. This is helpful when a patient wants to undergo a cosmetic treatment such as teeth whitening for brightening the color their teeth.

Long-lasting

Even perfectly constructed dental bridges on (perfectly healthy teeth) have a finite lifespan. Bridges last about 8-10 years on average. So if you are comparing the cost of dental implants vs. bridges—keep in mind that you’ll have to have the whole thing remade and reattached every decade or so. Dental implants cost more initially, but they almost never need to be replaced. When properly placed and properly cared for, dental implants have a 98-99 percent success rate. Why is this? When an implant heals in your jaw, it becomes a permanent part of your jaw bone.

Other factors

As a surgical procedure, dental implant placement is most certainly more complex than getting a dental bridge. If you have medical conditions that affect your body’s ability to heal and generate new tissues, then you may not be a good candidate for implants. If you’ve been without the tooth for many years, you may need bone grafting in order for an implant to be placed. However, this treatment is ideal for people who regularly take professional teeth whitening in Brooklyn and don’t want to give up on some of their foods.

There are many factors to consider when looking at tooth replacement options, so don’t try to make the decision alone. Get in touch with a good oral surgeon or implant specialist to help you get the facts before you decide.