Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss. They may feel uncomfortable with the way gaps in their smiles appear, and they might notice a decline in their oral capabilities when teeth are missing. Their oral health might continue to deteriorate without intervention from their dental professional.
A dentist can restore their smiles by replacing teeth with dental implants. Whether you have lost one tooth or an entire arch of teeth, your dentist can find the best solution for your unique dental needs. Read on to find three of the dental implant options your dentist can offer you to replace your missing teeth.
3 Types of Dental Implants Available from Your Dentist
Single Dental Implant
A single dental implant is a fixture that a dentist can employ to replace one missing tooth. They can give a patient more than one of these implants to fully restore a smile if needed.
The implant features a titanium post anchor that the dentist surgically inserts into the jaw. As it heals over the course of several months, it fuses with the jawbone. Then it serves as the ideal support for a prosthetic tooth. The dentist secures the crown to an abutment above the gumline attached to this anchor after this recovery period.
Patients can feel confident in the appearance of their smiles with gaps filled by custom prosthetics. They can count on a beautiful and natural-looking finish that will resist staining and endure for twenty or more years.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
If you are missing three or more teeth in a row, your dentist might recommend an implant-supported dental bridge. The process behind this implant is similar to the single dental implant. It uses two anchors: one to support each end of a bridge prosthetic.
You can restore your ability to chew, bite, and speak when you replace missing teeth with dental implants. They are fixed into the mouth, so you do not have to worry about an appliance slipping out of place at an inopportune moment. You can improve your quality of life when you do not have to stress about your oral functions any longer.
All-on-Four Dental Implant
Dentists can replace an entire arch of teeth with an All-on-Four dental implant. They can use this device on the top or bottom arch of the mouth or both if needed for a full mouth restoration. As its name suggests, the implant uses four anchors to support an arch of prosthetic teeth.
The anchors serve as replacements for missing tooth roots, allowing you to preserve your jawbone after tooth loss. Removable dentures cannot replace teeth below the gumline and therefore will not offer this advantage.
You can learn if you qualify for implant dentistry treatment when you schedule a consultation with your dentist. They will evaluate your jaw health through x-ray imaging and give you the tooth replacement solution that best suits your unique needs. Call your dentist for an appointment today.