If you are missing any teeth, a dental implant is a great way to have them replaced.
There are two parts to a dental implant. There is a root form that is placed in your jaw, simulating the root of the natural tooth that is being replaced. Then there is the crown, the visible part, that is created separately. Dr. Goldstein creates lifelike crowns in one visit using CEREC® technology, and he teaches this technique to other dentists.
The other way for replacing a missing tooth would be with a dental bridge.
The photo below shows a case done by Dr. Goldstein. Notice how they blend perfectly with her natural teeth giving her a gorgeous smile.
Advantages of dental implant over a dental bridge:
- Nothing has to be done to the adjacent teeth. If the adjacent teeth are healthy, it seems a shame to grind them down for crowns, which is what has to be done for you to get a dental bridge.
- Having a root form where your tooth used to be helps preserve the health of the bone. Once a tooth is removed, the body senses it and begins to dissolve away the bone, using the minerals in other parts of the body. This doesn’t happen with a dental implant in place.
- This is the tooth replacement option that feels the most like a natural tooth.
- A dental implant doesn’t catch food the way a dental bridge or a removable appliance would, and it is easier to keep clean.
Keep in mind that, since implant placement requires surgery, it will likely require healing time before it is completely functional.
We have another page of information about a dental implant vs a bridge.