If you’re busy trying to decide between dental implants and other tooth replacement options (i.e., dentures, fixed bridges), you’ll likely discover there is no competition. The titanium posts used to mimic the natural tooth structure offer far greater benefits that cannot be matched by traditional prosthetics. But can they replace more than just one single tooth? A local dentist is here to explain the different types of dental implants and why you can achieve a fully restored smile no matter how many teeth you are missing.
One Tooth or an Entire Arch: The Three Types of Dental Implants
Curious whether dental implants will be a viable option for your individual needs? Discover just how versatile these prosthetics truly are:
Missing One Tooth
Using a single dental implant post, your dentist in downtown Boston can easily replace one missing tooth. Although you might think this vacated socket isn’t much to be concerned about, the truth is that tooth loss of any kind can affect the way you eat, drink, and socialize with others. Instead of relying on a fixed bridge that will need to be replaced more often, a titanium post can be surgically placed into your jawbone before a metal abutment and custom-made dental crown complete the full and completed look.
Missing Multiple Teeth
While a dental bridge is capable of replicating the look of your smile, an implant bridge can create a permanent fixture in your mouth. Using two titanium implant posts, they can be placed in the outer sockets before a customized dental bridge is secured to the top. If your missing teeth are not consecutive along the row, an implant partial can be created that doesn’t require metal clasps or clips to hold it in place. As a result, you will enjoy a more stable and aesthetically pleasing prosthetic.
Missing an Entire Arch
Using between 4 and 6 dental implants in downtown Boston, your dentist can place them along the upper or lower arch before attaching metal abutments and a customized denture. Whether you prefer a fixed or removable prosthetic is up to you and how much available bone you have. By installing an implant denture, you will not only be able to eat your favorite foods without worrying about slippage, but you’ll also enjoy greater oral health because of the ease of maintaining your dental implants versus a traditional denture.
Are You Eligible to Receive Dental Implants?
You may be surprised to learn that most adults are eligible to receive dental implants. Of course, an initial consultation with your dentist is necessary, as they will need to consider a few different factors before allowing you to move forward with treatment. After surveying your oral and overall health as well as determining your jawbone density, you will either receive the green light for dental implant surgery or be required to undergo preliminary treatments (i.e., bone grafting, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction).
No matter your situation, it is possible to achieve dental implants and enjoy a healthier, more beautiful smile for a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. Dean Levy earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Boston University School of Dental Medicine, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Dr. Levy and his wife, Dr. Christa Rizkallah, as well as the rest of the team at Devonshire Dental Associates, can address all your oral health care needs. Offering dental implants to patients who are missing one or more teeth, they can transform and fully restore your smile all under one roof! If you or a loved one are suffering the complications of tooth loss, visit our website or call (617) 350-7474.