If you are missing a tooth, Horizon Family Dental Care offers tooth replacement options to meet your needs. Our four Maryland dentist offices can help you figure out which tooth replacement option is best for you and your smile. Often, patients must choose between replacing a missing tooth with either a dental implant or a dental bridge. While both options will effectively replace your missing tooth, there are significant differences between them. Learn more about the differences between dental bridges and dental implants below:
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge utilizes the support of your surrounding teeth to hold a prosthetic tooth in place of a missing tooth. The bridge hardware is fully external compared to a dental implant’s hardware, which is concealed entirely by your own soft tissues. Because the bridge hardware is exposed, patients will need to make certain changes to their diets in order to preserve their dental restoration. Excessively chewy or crunchy foods are likely to damage the bridge hardware and should be avoided. Additionally, patients with dental bridges must learn to brush and floss thoroughly around the dental bridge to prevent food particles from being stuck in the hardware. Because the hardware is fully external, dental bridges do not require a surgical procedure like dental implants do. You can usually get a complete dental bridge in just two visits to our Maryland dentist offices.
Dental Implant
Dental implants are considered the premier tooth replacement option. This is because it is the only tooth replacement option that provides patient’s with a restored tooth that has tooth-root functionality. The first step in the dental implant process is a surgical procedure in which a titanium post is inserted beneath your soft tissue. The healing time for a dental implant takes anywhere from 6-8 months. The extended healing time allows the post to fuse together with your jawbone, preventing bone degeneration. Once the post site has healed, an abutment will be attached to the top of the post which will be topped off with a dental crown. Because the hardware for a dental implant is protected by your own soft tissues, patients with dental implants do not have to worry about any dietary restrictions or oral hygiene hazards. A dental implant replaces the look, feel, and functionality of a missing tooth with a restoration that blends in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
Schedule An Appointment
If you would like to learn more about your tooth replacement options, consider visiting one of our Maryland dentist offices. Schedule an appointment with one of our offices, located in Clinton, Hanover, Baltimore, and La Plata. We look forward to helping you restore your smile.