Crown vs. Implant-Supported Dental Bridges: The Best Option for Missing Teeth
When patients in the greater Boston area require expert dental care, they can rely on Dr. James M. Stein. This is particularly important when it comes to restorative dentistry treatments such as dental crowns and cosmetic procedures that can greatly enhance the beauty of a smile.
Patients who have missing teeth may benefit from getting a dental bridge placed. We want to consider special kinds of dental bridges that are specially fixed in place to enhance stability.
About Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are dental appliances that are intended to span the gap left behind when you are missing a tooth or a few teeth in a row. Traditional dental bridges are removable and are held in place by latching around the teeth that are adjacent to the tooth gap.
The dental bridges we are considering in this post are dental bridges that are fixed in place in some fashion rather than removable appliances that latch around your remaining teeth.
Using Dental Crowns to Support Dental Bridges
Dental crown-supported dental bridges refer to dental bridges that are held in place by dental crowns that cap teeth adjacent to a tooth gap. The dental crowns will often be the same color as your natural teeth to ensure good aesthetics and the best possible results.
The Benefits of Crown-Supported Bridges
Crown-supported dental bridges are very sturdy and are less likely to slip out of place than traditional dental bridges. They offer a great deal of stability that allows patients to bite with absolute confidence. These are especially worth considering if you have seriously damaged or decayed teeth that are adjacent to a tooth gap.
Using Dental Implants to Support Dental Bridges
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically embedded into the jawbone and gum tissue of the patient's mouth. When these are placed, they are able to support dental bridges, which will be designed to snap into place onto the implant posts.
The Benefits of Implant-Supported Bridges
The dental implants provide a hold that is comparable to natural tooth roots, making them the most stable means of holding a dental bridge. In addition, the dental implants prevent gum recession and bone loss from occurring in the tooth gap, something that cannot be accomplished with other types of dental bridges.
Which option is more ideal for me?
Every patient is different and will have unique challenges that need to be addressed. This is why a full consultation is required to determine the ideal treatment for a patient who is missing teeth.
While dental implants may seem like the most ideal option for many patients, the overall health and condition of the patient's gums and jawbone may affect suitability for treatment. If a patient has poor bone density, for instance, he or she may need to undergo a bone grafting procedure in order to receive dental implants, or he or she simply may not be an ideal candidate for treatment.
Dental crowns could be a fine option for many patients, but it may not be worth considering if a patient does not have teeth adjacent to the tooth gap.
Learn More About Advanced Dental Care Treatment
If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth and would like to find out more about all of your options for advanced dental care, we encourage you to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Stein will help you get the healthy, beautiful smile that you have always wanted to have.
