Types of Dental Implant Restorations
If you have experienced tooth loss, it is vital to the health of your teeth and the strength of your jaw bone that the problem be corrected as soon as possible. If tooth loss is addressed before the jaw bone has weakened or bone loss has occurred, then you will most likely be an ideal candidate for dental implants. At Dr. Clint Newman’s practice, we highly recommend dental implants for our Nashville and Brentwood cosmetic dentistry patients. Dental implants offer patients a secure and permanent replacement solution for missing teeth. However, the dental implant itself will only replace the root of the tooth. In order for the treatment to be complete, our Nashville patients will need to have dental restorations attached to the dental implants. There are several choices to consider and Dr. Newman will help his patients choose a dental restoration that will meet their dental needs.
Dental Crowns
Dr. Newman is likely to recommend to his patients in Nashville dental crowns to be attached to dental implants if only one tooth has been lost or the teeth that have been lost have natural teeth on either side of the gap. With dental crowns, each tooth can be treated individually. A single implant can anchor a single dental crown so that your surrounding teeth do not need to be altered for treatment to take place. Even a single missing tooth can have a negative effect on the alignment of your bite and the overall health of your mouth, so a dental crown secured by a dental implant is an ideal treatment option.
Dental Bridges
If you have lost a row of two to four teeth, a better restoration might be a dental bridge. A dental bridge can replace several missing teeth but will only require two dental implants to secure the artificial piece. This is because a dental bridge only needs to be secured on the two ends of the artificial piece. Even though there is only one piece in between the two dental implants, that piece is designed to replace and mimic a number of teeth. A dental bridge is a good way to replace missing teeth without requiring a dental implant for each individual tooth.
Permanent Dentures
For extensive tooth loss, Dr. Newman will usually suggest that permanent dentures be secured to your dental implants. As with a dental bridge, the permanent dentures can be secured without having a dental implant for each missing tooth. Depending on how many teeth are being replaced, permanent dentures may require four or more dental implants to properly secure the piece. Permanent dentures can treat tooth loss affecting the entire upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. With permanent dentures Dr. Newman is able to restore functionality, health, and cosmetic appeal to the upper and lower teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have suffered from tooth loss and would like to learn more about dental implants, schedule an appointment with Dr. Clint Newman. Dr. Newman can examine your teeth and bone structure to see if you are a candidate for dental implants. Dr. Newman will help you make a decision about what dental restoration will be the best choice for repairing your smile.
