Single Tooth Replacement – Houston, TX

Close the Gap and Protect Your Smile

Many people who are missing just one tooth choose not to have it replaced. They may decide that since they can still eat most foods, there is no reason to fill in the gap. They might not even be concerned about the aesthetic consequences of a missing tooth. However, that little empty space can lead to serious complications down the road. The adjacent teeth may drift out of place, and gum and bone deterioration may occur. Such problems can eventually cause further tooth loss.

Clearly, replacing that missing pearly white is important! We offer two treatment options that can recomplete your smile and protect its long-term well-being.  

Single Tooth Replacement Options

A fixed bridge, sometimes called crown and bridgework, is a dental prosthesis that “bridges” the gap between your teeth. It has two crowns, which fit over the abutment teeth (the ones next to the empty space), as well as an artificial tooth that is suspended between them. This type of restoration can be quite sturdy and natural-looking, and it can restore full dental function. It is a popular choice for tooth replacement because it is a relatively fast and affordable procedure.

A single tooth dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that Dr. Ahn surgically places beneath the gum line in a minimally invasive procedure. Following the surgery, you must go through a healing period of several months, wherein the bone tissue bonds with the implant. This process, known as osseointegration, allows the implant to serve as a substitute tooth root. Eventually, our team will place a beautiful, custom-made restoration on top of the implant to replace the visible portion of the missing tooth.

Benefits of Implant-Supported Single Tooth Replacement

Either a fixed bridge or a single tooth dental implant can provide a beautiful and strong tooth replacement. However, we often recommend that patients choose an implant if they are a viable candidate for the procedure. Dental implants in Greater Heights are the superior option for a number of reasons:

• Placing a fixed bridge requires that we significantly modify the enamel of the abutment teeth. With an implant, your natural teeth can remain entirely intact.
• Because an implant replaces the entire missing tooth, including the root, is the most natural-looking and natural-feeling way to fill in the gap in your smile.
• An implant provides a bite force that is almost as strong as that of natural teeth.
• An implant stimulates the jaw and helps to prevent the bone deterioration that occurs after tooth loss. A bridge does not offer this advantage.
• A bridge may last for ten years or so, whereas a dental implant has the potential to last a lifetime if it is properly cared for. The restoration may last for decades.

Contact Sunrise Dental Today

If you would like to replace your missing tooth, now is the time to act! Contact the team at Sunrise Dental to discuss your treatment options and get on the road to regaining a complete, healthy smile.