Even one missing tooth can be limiting. Not only can it be uncomfortable because food can get stuck in the empty space, chewing hard or crunchy food can irritate the tissue, and it can be hard to chew certain foods at all. When you have a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth will shift in an attempt to fill the empty space, often causing misalignment or crooked teeth. If you are missing just one tooth, having an implant or bridge will help prevent those problems, but what is the difference? And what treatment should you choose an implant or a bridge?
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent and stable way to replace a missing tooth. Implants require a complex surgical procedure and are more expensive than a dental bridge. However, a dental implant is closest to a real tooth. The titanium post osseointegrates with your jaw bone recreating the same kind of bond as the original tooth root. The prosthetic tooth, usually made with porcelain, will be fabricated to look and feel just like your natural tooth.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge can be permanent or removable. A permanent bridge is anchored onto the remaining adjacent teeth by preparing the teeth for a crown (removing tooth structure to accommodate the crown) and permanently bonding the crown to the remaining healthy tooth structure. There are also removable dental bridges that are anchored onto the adjacent healthy teeth using a metal construct.
While a permanent dental bridge is moderately invasive, the dental implant is a highly invasive procedure, but can last 20 years or more.
ABOUT YOUR FORT WORTH, TX DENTIST:
With over 25 years of professional experience, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team proudly provide exceptional preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to patients and their families across Dallas/Ft. Worth, including North Richland Hills, Denton, the Mid-cities, Southlake, and all surrounding communities. We also have extensive experience helping patients find relief from painful TMJ disorders (various forms of jaw dysfunction). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Huffstutler, contact his Fort Worth, TX office today by calling 817-918-3038.