You don’t need a three tooth solution for a single tooth problem.
– By Dr. Joseph Farag –
There is no doubt that when a tooth is lost due to infection, decay or trauma, many factors of oral health are affected.
In addition to those factors, cosmetics may also be affected if a front tooth is lost. Common causes of tooth loss are decay, periodontal disease, failed root canal therapy, and traumatic injury. Modern dentistry has improved the chances of restoring these teeth to function but there are many cases when an extraction is the only option.
Options for the Loss of One or More Teeth
When a patient is faced with the loss of one or more teeth, modern dentistry can offer two options of non-removable “fixed” replacement. The first option is a fixed or cemented bridge; the second non-removable option would be a dental implant. Of course, the removable dentures and partial dentures remain as options, but these removable appliances are the least desirable by most patients. For the purposes of this article, we will only compare the differences between the non-removable options.
A Dental Bridge
Dental Implants
The typical lifespan of a dental implant is longer than that of a bridge, since they are not vulnerable to decay which is the leading cause of dental bridge failure. When replacing a single missing tooth, a dental implant can add new support and restore complete function, whereas a bridge would use the existing dentition to support the replacement tooth.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Joseph Farag at Port Charlotte Dentalcare, 941-764-9555.