Are you missing one or more teeth? If so, Frederick Center for Dentistry has the tooth replacement options you need to restore your dental health. Often, patients with missing teeth must choose between replacing their missing teeth with either dental implants or dental bridges. Dr. Goyal provides his patients with additional information on the differences between these two treatment options below.
Dental Implants in Frederick, MD
Dental implants are considered the premier tooth replacement option. This is because they are the closest restoration you can get that will mimic the look, feel, and functionality of a natural tooth. However, it’s important to know that dental implants require a surgical procedure. During the procedure, a titanium post is inserted beneath your soft tissues.
Once fully healed, the post will provide your restoration with tooth-root functionality. The healing time for dental implants may last several months as we must make sure that the post is fused with your jawbone to provide the necessary support. An abutment is then attached to the healed post and topped with a dental crown.
The final result is a restored tooth that blends in seamlessly with your natural teeth. Additionally, you will not have to worry about any dietary restrictions or changes to your at-home oral hygiene routine.
Dental Bridges in Frederick, MD
Dental bridges are a cost-effective approach to tooth replacement. They do not require a surgical procedure like dental implants do and can usually be completed within two visits to our Frederick, MD dentist office. A dental bridge utilizes the support of your surrounding teeth to hold a prosthetic tooth in place of a missing tooth.
This can put additional strain on the surrounding teeth, which is why we often recommend that they be covered with dental crowns for extra support. Patients replacing their missing teeth with dental bridges must make changes to their diets, avoiding excessively crunchy or chewy foods.
Because the bridge hardware is fully external, hard to chew foods can easily damage the dental bridge. Patients will also need to learn how to effectively brush and floss around the dental bridge, taking extra care to ensure no food residue is stuck in the hardware.
If you would like to learn more about your tooth replacement options in Frederick, MD, please schedule an appointment with Frederick Center for Dentistry. We provide comprehensive dental services for patients of all ages. Join our growing dental family and enjoy the many benefits of improved dental health and wellness.