Dental bridgework and dentures have been the traditional choices for restoring missing teeth. They remain a viable option for so many, but for a more permanent solution to tooth loss dental implants are typically the better option as they solve a lot of the most common complaints of the alternatives. To learn about all the ways dental implants can restore your smile get in contact with Dr. Jerry Johnson in Pasadena, CA.
A bridge corrects the gap in your smile by supporting the replacement tooth in between healthy teeth. These healthy teeth must usually be reshaped so that a crown can be attached to them, and it's these crowns that hold your new tooth. A dental implant can replace a tooth without needing to impact its neighbors in any way.
Some of the criticism surrounding dentures is often due to a poor fit, which is often caused by lack of maintenance. Dentures have to be relined regularly, about every two years so that they will not slip in your mouth as you eat or speak. But even with well-fitting dentures you still have to remove them every night and they can limit the type of food you can eat. As the name suggests, implant-supported dentures can solve a lot of these problems as they are securely held in your mouth with dental implants.
A common theme between restoration alternatives is support. Bridges depend on healthy teeth, which must be reshaped, and dentures on suction, which requires a good fit to avoid some of the concerns with the treatment, but not all. Dental implants are supported in a similar way to natural teeth, but instead of a root, a titanium post is implanted directly onto the bone of your jaw. A process called osseointegration permanently bonds metal and bone, and it's onto this post that your new tooth or denture is attached.
To learn if you're a candidate for dental implants schedule a consultation today with Dr. Johnson in Pasadena, CA, by dialing (626)-798-7896.