Replacing missing teeth has always been an important focus of contemporary dentistry. When a tooth is lost, the consequences can be severe for the rest of your oral health, including bite problems, an eroding jawbone, and more. Traditionally, replacing a single lost tooth has always been the job of a dental bridge consisting of a lifelike tooth replacement supported by equally lifelike dental crowns. Today, however, patients can often enjoy a more conservative and lifelike prosthetic option by choosing a single dental crown supported by a dental implant post.
How an Implant Crown Works
In order for a dental crown to remain in place between your remaining teeth, it needs the support of an implant post that replaces the lost tooth’s root. The implant is inserted into your jawbone, which fuses to its biocompatible surface. After your jawbone heals, your dentist can secure the custom crown to the post using a small abutment. Together, the implant post and dental crown create the most realistic replica of your natural tooth, including the supportive root that a dental bridge lacks.
The Benefits of a Prosthetic Crown
To support a dental bridge, its crowns must be bonded to the teeth nearest to the gap in your smile. While your dentist will carefully prepare the teeth to ensure that they’re only modified as much as necessary, that modification can affect the structural integrity of the teeth. By contrast, a prosthetic, implant-supported crown doesn’t need help from your other healthy teeth. Therefore, it can help you preserve more of your natural tooth structure than a dental bridge is able to.
Find Out if an Implant Crown Can Replace Your Tooth
If you’ve lost a tooth, then a dental crown supported by an implant post might be a more beneficial option than a traditional dental bridge. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We have offices in the East, Northeast, and Westside of El Paso, and happily welcome patients from all nearby communities, including Chaparral, Canutillo, Vinton, and Sunland Park, New Mexico.