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Being faced with tooth loss can be extremely upsetting but luckily there are good ways to replace lost teeth and your options include having a dental bridge or opting for dental implants. But which is best? It’s worthwhile investigating each option very carefully so you can decide on the pros and cons of each dental treatment in Midtown Manhattan before making an informed decision about your dental health.

Why Consider a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge can be a relatively quick option that can be completed within just a few weeks. This can be a bonus as most people want a fast solution to tooth loss so they can forget it ever happened. Dental bridges are supported by crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap which does mean that your dentist will need to grind down these teeth in order to create sufficient room for the crowns. The crowns are then attached to the replacement teeth, each of which is called a pontic. The pontic rests on the gums and the completed dental bridge should be a strong and stable restoration that should last many years.

What Are the Downfalls of Having a Bridge?

So what are the downfalls of having a bridge? The main problem with having a dental bridge is the need to grind down the adjacent teeth which could quite possibly be completely healthy. Once you have any healthy tooth structure removed, you will only ever be able to replace it artificially. When healthy teeth are ground down and crowned, there’s always the possibility that these crowns will begin to leak in the future, enabling bacteria to get into these teeth where they can cause decay and infection. Also, when it comes to replacing this bridge, it can be more expensive in the longer term than for example only need to replace a single crown that is supported by a dental implant. Then there’s the problem of having a pontic or replacement tooth just resting on the gums as the gums will change shape once a natural tooth is removed and eventually you could find this area becomes a food trap.

Why Consider Dental Implants?

A dental implant consists of a titanium post that is inserted into the jawbone where it can support a replacement tooth or crown. This method can take several months to complete as the implant post has to integrate or fuse with the jawbone before the final crown can be made. The time required to complete this treatment can put off some people but there’s a few very good reasons why dental implants can be a healthier and better long-term option.

Dental Implants Benefits

First of all, the dental implant post will protect your jawbone, preventing any further bone loss so it stays strong and healthy and this is perhaps the most important reason for considering dental implants. Secondly, your dentist will not need to grind down healthy teeth for support so implants can be a much more tooth friendly solution. Thirdly, a single dental implant can look amazing as the implant crown will emerge from your gums, looking exactly like your natural tooth. When it comes to replacing the implant crown, you’ll just need to replace a single crown rather than a dental bridge covering a minimum of three teeth. This is a much cheaper solution so in the longer term you’ll save money and you’ll get the best possible aesthetics.

The best way to find out for sure which solution to choose is to visit a good dental practice in NYC that specializes in dental implants, for example D & D Periodontal Associates.