Missing teeth can be annoying and embarrassing. A single dental implant or an implant bridge can fully restore your smile.
When you lose a tooth as an adult, it won’t grow back like when you were a kid. What’s left behind is a gap in your smile that can be a hassle to deal with and spoil your otherwise perfect smile. Thankfully, with a dental implant, you can fill in that gap and keep your smile intact.
A dental implant has several components that work together to simulate a natural tooth. The main part of the implant is a titanium post that is surgically inserted into your jawbone, just like the root of a tooth. On top of the implant, there is an abutment that connects the implant to a dental crown, a prosthetic tooth. Together, all of these components provide maximum stability, strength, and function. Once the implant is complete, it looks and feels so natural, that you won’t be able to tell it’s there.
If you’re missing a few teeth in a row, an implant bridge can fill in the gap left behind, providing a permanent solution that does not require compromising the surrounding healthy teeth. A typical dental bridge is supported by the two teeth on either side of the gap it is bridging. This means that those teeth, which are otherwise healthy, have to be prepared in order to accommodate the bridge. An implant bridge, on the other hand, is supported by dental implants inserted into your jaw. The result is a longer-lasting, stronger tooth replacement solution that promotes better oral health.
When Tim first came to see us he told us his wife had recently passed and he had been neglecting his dental health. Tim had a lot of old dental work and was having pain in both sides of his mouth. Tim wanted to be able to chew without pain and have a nice smile again.
Tim wanted to start dental his journey by addressing his top teeth. Dr. Stryker removed most of his top teeth and replaced them with an implant-retained bridge. After completing his top treatment, Tim was so pleased, he decided to have his lower teeth restored. Dr. Stryker was able to save his lower teeth and restore them with restorative/cosmetic crowns.
Tim is happy to be able to eat his favorite food (steak) again and smile with confidence. We are happy that we were able to improve the function of Tim’s teeth, the health of his mouth and give him a terrific new smile!
The experience here has just been amazing. The team here and Dr. Stryker are some of the best dental workers I know.
Do you have a missing front tooth and need a temporary solution? Dental Assistant Katie explains how an Essex retainer can fill the gap while you wait for a permanent fix. It’s clear, custom-made, and a great short-term option for smiling with confidence.
