Missing teeth are a common issue for many Baltimore residents. Most people who are health conscious don’t often suffer from multiple missing teeth, but losing a tooth is a simple problem that can afflict anyone. Trauma can often knock teeth out, disease can cause degradation, and infections can push out teeth at any time. Oral health is important for a lot of people, but sometimes bad things happen. The oral and maxillofacial surgeons at Maryland Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants have ways to treat these tooth loss issues with advanced technology and the skill of board certified surgeons. For replacing single teeth, the two most common treatment options are the traditional tooth supported bridge and an implant-supported crown.
The Process of Replacing Teeth
For replacing single teeth, the most common procedure for placing a dental bridge begins with wearing down the two adjacent teeth to miniature wedge shapes. Then the dental implant is placed over the wedge, using the wedge-shaped tooth to hold the implant in place. This method of replacing single teeth can be very aesthetic and functional for a period of time. However, a tooth-supported bridge does not replace the bone that previously surrounded the root. Since there is no longer a root to hold the bone in place, the bone deteriorates or melts away.