Tooth loss can be a troubling thing for adults. Unlike the excitement a child feels at losing his or her first tooth, an adult may experience embarrassment, fear, or frustration after the loss of a tooth. Fortunately, it is possible to cope with tooth loss and complete the smile, helping make it easier to chew once again, and just as importantly, to smile. Dentures remain one option for prostheses, but many patients favor the added stability that can be obtained through the use of a dental bridge or a dental implant.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are a form of prostheses that utilizes durable and natural-looking porcelain crowns to help anchor a replacement tooth or partial denture. By affixing two crowns to the teeth nearest the gap created by the tooth loss, bridges can help to complete a smile after the loss of a single tooth or several, in a way that inspires confidence while smiling and chewing.

When Is a Dental Implant the Best Option?

For even more stability, many dentists now offer dental implants, the most permanent and secure form of prostheses currently available. Implants involve surgically inserting titanium posts into the jawline, to help hold a replacement tooth or teeth in place.

The posts used are made of biocompatible titanium, which allows the soft tissue to grow right around it, creating added stability and a replacement for the tooth root, as well as the tooth. This allows patients to chew and speak more naturally than other forms of prostheses.