Westpark Helpful Dental Articles
Single Tooth Dental Implants Have Advantages Over Three-Unit Bridges
Dental implants are often preferable to a bridge for various reasons. The implant is a single tooth, whereas a bridge will involve three teeth and span over the empty space where one natural tooth used to be. Implants can be flossed and cleaned just as though they were natural teeth. A bridge needs to be removed from the mouth by the patient in order to properly clean and maintain it.
Placing a single implant also preserves the integrity of the healthy teeth around it. With a three-tooth bridge we have to shave down the two teeth on either side of the void where the original tooth was, so that there is room to affix the bridge apparatus on those two teeth. With an implant we do not have to do anything to the healthy teeth on either side, which means we can maintain the stability and long-term integrity of those two healthy teeth. Patients are very pleased to hear that an implant is not going to have any type of decay or cavities.
In terms of longevity of an implant, as long as the implant is surrounded by healthy, substantial bone the implant can last indefinitely without the patient needing to pay the cost of replacing the implant. With proper care, dental implants have been known to last a lifetime, which is an excellent investment in a patient’s oral health. We have seen tremendous stability and longevity with implants as long as the oral health of the patient is maintained well over time. Optimal oral health requires regular dental checkups and good home hygiene by the patient. Dental implants look completely natural and they feel comfortable on the tongue. Dental implants are an excellent option for replacing a single missing tooth or multiple meeting teeth.
Dr. Brian Gallagher
West Park Dental
Cleveland, OH
New Patients Welcome
www.westparksmiles.com
Posted 04/13/2020
