Our Dental Blog

At one time, all dental bridges were held in place in with dental crowns. While effective, we’re proud to offer our Kansas City, MO, patients a more secure and longer-lasting option using implant dentistry. Find out how we address minor tooth loss and offer a lifelike dental prosthetic that can last for many years to come, decades even!

Addressing Minor Tooth Loss

We typically recommend a bridge for people missing between one and three of their natural teeth. Filling the gap in the smile helps prevent the onset of misalignment, as teeth tend to drift from position when empty spaces appear suddenly. Replacing lost teeth also improves the ability to eat and reduces pressure on the jaw joints, limiting the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism. However, since we can support a prosthetic with dental implants, we can also preserve your smile. You see, when we lose our natural teeth the body stops supplying the jawbone with doses of calcium and phosphorus. Denied these key nutrients, the bone tissue dissolves and more teeth could become lost. Since dental implants act as new tooth roots, the flow of nutrients to the jawbone resumes, safeguarding facial structure and smile stability.

The Dental Implant Difference

First, we need to take a series of detailed digital impressions of your smile, as well as measurements and x-rays. We will use these images and information to plan your placement process. The dental implant or implants will be inserted into the jawbone. As the area heals, osseointegration occurs, which bonds the bone tissue and dental implants. Using the impressions we gathered, we will then design the prosthetic portion. The prosthetic will consist of the new teeth, or pontics, with crowns attached to each end. We then place the crowns onto the dental implants. While traditional dental bridges last between 10 and 15 years, these have the potential to last for decades with proper care and attention.

Ensuring a Lifelike Appearance

To keep your smile healthy and safeguard your new teeth, you need to see us every six months so we can monitor your smile and perform a cleaning to remove plaque buildup. Gum disease could threaten your new prosthetic and lead to implant failure. Routine cleanings, as well as brushing and flossing at home, can help prevent the disease or enable us to successfully manage it and allow patients to avoid the advanced stages. If you have any questions, then please contact our team today.

Have You Lost a Tooth?

We want to help people who have lost one or more of their natural teeth. To learn more about our natural looking and durable tooth replacement options, then please schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.