If you’re missing one or more teeth in Stamford, you may be interested in dental implants. But there are a lot of different ways to restore your teeth, including single-tooth implants that use dental crowns, implant-supported bridges, and implant-supported dentures. You may not be sure what’s right for you, so in this blog, our Stamford dental implant specialists discuss the basics of each type.
SINGLE-TOOTH IMPLANTS – IDEAL FOR REPLACING ONE OR SEVERAL
MISSING TEETH
The most common type of dental implant is a single-tooth implant. This consists of one implant “post” that is surgically implanted into your mouth. Then, once it heals and bonds with the natural structures of your mouth, you’ll get a custom-built porcelain crown.
This crown will attach to the implant and function as a false tooth, restoring your smile and your bite. Single-tooth implants are a good option if you’re only missing one tooth.
Multiple single-tooth implants can also be used if you’re missing several teeth that are in different parts of your mouth, like one front tooth and two molars on the opposite sides of your mouth.
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED BRIDGES – RESTORE TWO OR MORE ADJACENT MISSING TEETH
Implant-supported bridges may be recommended if you’re missing two or more teeth that are next to each other. They are similar to a traditional dental bridge, which uses two dental crowns that attach to healthy teeth. These crowns support one or more false teeth that “bridge” the gap in your smile.
But as you may have guessed, implant-supported bridges don’t use crowns. Instead, they use two dental implants to support your false teeth. Once the implants have been placed, a porcelain bridge will be made that will fit over the bridges, and restore all of your missing teeth.
If you’re missing a few side-by-side teeth, implant-supported bridges are usually the best way to restore your smile. This treatment is also usually less expensive than having multiple single-tooth implants, since only two implants are required to support 3 or more missing teeth.
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURES – RESTORE AN ENTIRE ARCH OF MISSING TEETH
Implant-supported dentures or “full arch implants” use a series of 4-6 dental implants to support a set of custom-made false teeth. The dentures snap onto these specially-designed implants, and are held tightly in place so that you can eat, speak, bite, and chew normally.
Compared to traditional dentures, which stay in place due to friction, implant-supported dentures have a much stronger hold and will not shift or move. The implants also help strengthen your jaw bone, which keeps your mouth healthy.
If you have lost most or all of your teeth, or your teeth are in very bad shape due to an oral injury, chronic gum disease, or serious decay, implant-supported dentures may be the best option for you.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS IN DETAIL,
CONTACT CLEAR SMILE DENTAL STUDIO TODAY!
At Clear Smile Dental Studio, our Stamford dentists specialize in dental implants. If you’d like to learn more about each type of treatment, contact us online or give us a call at (475) 473-9873. We are always accepting new patients, and would be happy to help you explore your options for tooth replacement in Stamford.
