A bright idea!
Replacing a single tooth (or a mouthful of teeth) with implants
The office of Bright Dental, Brianna Rafetto D.M.D., P.A., has invested in numerous advanced technologies and trained in the latest techniques to restore and support a smile that shines in its exuberant, healthy best. Our patients across the Middletown, Delaware, area have had their smiles transformed with dental implants. While dental implants can replace a single tooth with a dental crown, they can also be used to replace all the teeth in a mouth.
But I thought crowns were used to rebuild teeth, not replace them?
Crowns are very versatile. Yes, they may be used to hold together a broken tooth or to restore a badly damaged tooth following root canal therapy. But they can also be used in this popular form of modern tooth replacement.
How does the implant crown work, to replace my tooth?
Dental implants are designed like natural teeth, from the roots upwards. The implant itself is actually positioned in the jaw to replace the tooth root. Implants are crafted using biocompatible materials, ensuring they safely and seamlessly integrate with the surrounding jawbone. Once the implant has healed and is part of the jaw, the replacement tooth (the crown) can be attached.
Do I have other alternatives to replace my tooth?
Certainly! You may be a candidate for a conventional dental bridge. The standard bridge is a prosthetic comprised of two crowned neighboring teeth and the replacement tooth called a pontic. The neighboring teeth hold the pontic in place to effectively “anchor” the bridge.
Why should I choose a dental implant?
Not everyone is a good candidate for a dental bridge. The suitability of the bridge depends on factors such as the location of the missing tooth. Typically, you need two crowned teeth on either side of the gap to anchor the replacement tooth in the jaw. Additionally, conventional bridges and dentures do not preserve the bone in the jaw. They actually hasten the effects of destructive bone loss. Since the jaw gets the stimulation it needs from attached teeth, the bony tissue remains healthy and robust, and the loss of structural support and other undesirable effects of bone loss are avoided.
