The loss of a tooth not only makes regular bite function difficult but can lead to a loss of confidence in the appearance of your smile. At Southland Dental, Dr. James Lin and our team provide patients with a number of options that restore the aesthetic and balance of their bites. We offer both traditional and implant-supported restorations and want our patients to understand the benefits that each provides before making a decision.
Consider the following:
Longevity and Durability
The life span of traditional dental prosthetics depends on the health of the oral structures used to support them. Bridges adhere to the teeth neighboring the gap in your smile via crowns. If these crowns should crack or wear down, replace the entirety of the restoration becomes necessary. Partial dentures are attached to the remaining teeth by metal frames which, through repeated placement and removal, can wear down the enamel, requiring these teeth to be restored.
Implant-supported restorations do not rely on the neighboring teeth to remain in place, as the titanium posts themselves as artificial roots with integrate with surrounding tissue to remain stable. While the visible portion of your implants, the fake tooth, can be worn down and broken by habits such as ice-chewing and teeth grinding, new restorations can be placed over the same implant posts.
Cost Effectiveness
A lower initial expense is appealing to the many patients that choose traditional crown or frame- supported restorations. Without the need for oral surgery, the up-front costs of these prosthetics are reduced, making them more affordable.
Implant-supported restorations are initially more expensive, though this cost is balanced by a lifetime of use and comfort. The cost of replacing traditional restorations can add up over the years, with repair for neighboring teeth that support them and replacing the entire prosthetic itself. Implant themselves remain firmly rooted in bone and do not need to be replaced periodically, which makes up for their initial cost.
Appearance of the Restoration
With the materials used in modern dental care, replacement teeth are made to look like natural, healthy teeth. Dental ceramics balance the semi-translucence of organic teeth with the shade of surrounding enamel. Prosthetics using wholly porcelain crowns are often quite realistic, though the porcelain-fused-to-metal and porcelain-fused-to-gold can appear less life-like.
Implants restorations are made to look similar to natural teeth as well. These prosthetics can be combined with zirconia abutments for a more realistic appearance.
If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to learn more about available restoration options at Southland Dental, contact our Anaheim implant dentist today.