Many patients experience the loss of a single tooth due to injury, decay, or gum disease. Standard treatments for single-tooth replacements include the use of a removable partial denture, a fixed partial denture (bridge), or a dental implant.
These options have their merits; however, dental implants are generally considered the most successful. Single-tooth dental implants in our Lexington, MA, dental office restore a tooth’s appearance and function.
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures are units where replacement teeth sit on a gum-colored plastic base, held together by a metal support structure. The partial is then attached to the gum line with a series of metal clasps. After placement, many patients express displeasure with the bulky denture and the metal aesthetic.
Fixed Partial Denture or Three Unit Bridge
A fixed partial denture, often called a bridge, suspends the replacement tooth or teeth between the remaining natural teeth on either side. We cement the new tooth to the abutments, which hold the prosthetic in place. Before we place the bridge, we prepare the abutment teeth to fit the bridge.
Before dental implants, a bridge was considered the most effective method of single-tooth replacement, yet it was not without disadvantages. Using a bridge leads to jaw bone deterioration and tooth decay in the remaining abutment teeth.
These complications have made fixed bridges a less desirable option in recent years as dental implants have become a more popular and widely used alternative.
Dental Implants for Single Missing Teeth in Concord & Lexington, MA
Today, dental implants are considered the best option for most single-tooth replacements. They are the most natural treatment as they mirror the lost tooth and root. The titanium implant integrates into the existing bone and tissue in a process called osseointegration.
The bond formed by this process is exceptionally strong and secure, allowing the implant to function like a natural tooth. The implant supports surrounding bone and tissue, enabling normal chewing and speaking and preserving the remaining teeth, gum, and bone health. Implants offer a more permanent solution.
Caring for and maintaining your implant is like any other tooth; it requires daily brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups twice a year. With basic hygiene, your implant can offer a lifetime of natural-feeling teeth without impacting your chewing or speaking.
Receive Implant Treatment
To schedule a consultation or learn more about dental implants, please get in touch with us at our Concord and Lexington offices today! You can also call our Concord office at 978.391.6081 or our Lexington office at 781.384.5892.