Single Missing Tooth
For Beverly Hills patients that are missing a single tooth, the two most common options to replace it are a crown supported by a dental implant or a tooth-supported bridge. The major disadvantage of a bridge is that the adjacent teeth must be cut down into peg shapes in order to fit and cement the bridge in place.
Bridges can provide a good aesthetic and functional result for a period of time. However, since the bridge does not replace the tooth root, the bone that surrounded the root deteriorates, or melts away.
The advantages of an implant crown include:
- The implant crown looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth
- The long-term aesthetics are better than those with a bridge
- A dental implant does not decay
- There is no need to grind down the adjacent natural teeth
- Bone resorption (deterioration) is prevented
Multiple Missing Teeth
There are three treatment options for replacing multiple missing teeth: a tooth supported bridge, a removable partial and an implant-supported bridge. One of the most serious consequences of a partial denture is that it actually causes the bone to resorb or deteriorate more rapidly. Also, the clasps on the partial put pressure on the teeth they hook onto, which loosens the teeth and eventually leads to tooth loss.
The advantages of an implant bridge include:
- Implant bridges look, feel and function like natural teeth
- They are more comfortable and stable than partial dentures
- Natural biting and chewing capacity is restored
- Dental implants virtually stop the bone resorption process
- The integrity of the facial structures is maintained
- The health of the adjacent natural teeth is not compromised
Complete Tooth Loss
In the past, if Beverly Hills patients were missing all of their teeth, the only option was dentures. This prosthesis has numerous disadvantages:
- Dentures are uncomfortable and often painful
- Dentures become loose as the bone melts away
- Without adhesives, dentures often fall out when laughing, sneezing, or coughing
- People with dentures visibly age much faster
- Bad breath is common with dentures
- Dentures do not allow people to eat many types of food (steak, apples, etc)
These problems can be solved with implant-supported dentures or bridges, which are stable and maintain the integrity of the facial structures by preserving the bone.
The advantages of implant-supported replacement teeth include:
- They are more comfortable and stable than traditional dentures
- Dental implants virtually stop the bone resorption process
- It is possible to maintain the integrity of facial structures
- Appearance is improved
- The roof of the mouth does not need to be covered, so food can be tasted
- Relines and repairs are infrequent compared to traditional dentures
- Natural biting and chewing capacity is restored
For more information on tooth loss treatment options, contact our office in Beverly Hills at (310) 657-0999.
