2 Ways To Replace A Missing Tooth

In many instances, people who have lost a tooth may feel uncomfortable with their appearance. In addition, they may have to compensate for the lost tooth by changing the way that they chew. This can make having a missing tooth frustrating. Still, there are ways to replace a missing tooth. Here are a couple of them:

A Single-tooth Dental Implant

A missing tooth can be replaced using a dental implant. A dental implant is actually a rod or screw that is made of titanium, which is a biocompatible metal. This is important because the metal must not cause a reaction by the body, or the immune response could incite implant failure. 

The dental implant is surgically drilled into the bone of the patient's jaw. After the implant has been placed, it must heal in order to become stabilized within the jawbone. This stabilization usually requires a healing period of about 2 to 4 months. This healing process, which is called osseointegration, causes the jawbone of the patient to connect to the implanted rod or screw.

After osseointegration, an abutment is added to the implant. This abutment makes it possible for a prosthetic crown to be attached to the implant. Since the crown is the portion of the tooth that is seen above the gum line the addition of the crown restores the chewing ability of the patient. In addition, the appearance of the patient's smile is fully restored.  A tooth-colored crown, such as one made of porcelain, resin or porcelain-over-metal, can be matched to the exact color of the patient's other teeth.

A Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is another way to replace a missing tooth. A dental bridge is a device that is formed by a false tooth suspended in the center of a bridge base. On each side of the false tooth is a dental crown. The false tooth is used to replace the tooth that was lost. However, the dental crowns are used to stabilize the dental bridge.

The dental crowns are placed over natural teeth or dental implants that border the gap left by the extracted tooth. The crowns are bonded to these natural teeth to cause the appliance to become a permanent fixture in the mouth of the patient. In fact, once in place, the dental bridge can only be removed by a dentist or other dental professional.

If you are interested in learning more about tooth restoration options for your missing tooth, contact a dentist in your area, like Elma Family Dental, today.

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