Bridges Vs. Implants: What to Know

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Bridges and implants are two dental tools that professionals use to help patients fill a gap when a tooth is missing. When it comes to choosing a type of prosthetic tooth, it’s important to make an informed decision. Knowing the difference between a bridge and an implant is important. Yourdentist in Gilbert, AZ, can help. At Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry, we offer dental advice and care to help our patients make good decisions for their oral hygiene needs. If you’re trying to decide between a dental bridge and a dental implant, here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Bridge?

A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth held in place with crowns that grip the teeth on either side of the gap. Dental bridges look natural and can’t be distinguished from normal teeth.

Dental bridges are color-matched to the surrounding teeth, so the dental bridge that’s installed in your mouth will be the same color as the rest of your teeth. To have a dental bridge installed, you’ll need the tooth or teeth on either side of the dental bridge to be healthy.

What Is an Implant?

An implant is a prosthetic tooth that’s inserted into the jaw. Once healed, the dental implant is fused with the jaw, similar to the way a tooth root is firmly implanted in the mouth. The implant is topped with a crown that looks just like a real tooth. In this way, dental implants look like and function like real teeth. To have a dental implant, you’ll need sufficient jaw bone for the implant to take hold.

Which One Do You Need?

The decision to get a dental implant or a bridge depends on your oral hygiene and oral health. Your dentist will be able to walk you through the options to determine what best fits your needs. To learn more about dental implants anddental bridges in Gilbert, AZ, call today to make an appointment.

Can I Still Get Dental Implants if I Wear Dentures?

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Are you interested in dental implants in Gilbert, AZ? If you have one or multiple missing teeth, dental implants may be a viable solution. Most people who have lost teeth in the past—before dental implants were available—have dentures. If you’re someone who wears dentures, you may be wondering if it’s possible to make the switch.

How Dentures Work

Dentures are removable oral prosthetics that restore function to the mouth. For a person without a certain number of teeth, it may be difficult to chew food properly or to speak well. But dentures also perform an added function, which is to prevent bone loss. Bone loss occurs under a variety of circumstances, including when there isn’t sufficient pressure on the bone from opposing teeth. So when you wear dentures, you can apply that pressure when you bring your two sets of teeth together.

What’s Needed For Dental Implants

Dental implants are made up of three parts. The implant piece is surgically placed in the jaw bone, where it must stay in order to support the faux tooth that’s visible above the gum line. Without adequate bone, the implant may fail. Sometimes, a person has such bone loss that bone grafting is needed before dental implants are viable. However, if a person is a denture-wearer, there’s a higher possibility that the bone has been saved from bone loss. In that way, your bone mass may be sufficient to support the dental implant process.

Of course, the only way to know for sure if you can get dental implants after wearing dentures for a time is to consult with your dentist in Gilbert, AZ. Contact us to learn more about the dental implant process and to find out if you might be a good candidate.

Can You Get Gum Disease After Having a Dental Implant?

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Have you been thinking about getting dental implants? If so, you probably want to learn more first. Your dentist in Gilbert, AZ, would be happy to answer all your questions so you can make an informed decision about what is right for you. One of the most common questions asked about dental implants is, “Can you develop gum disease after having a dental implant?” The answer might surprise you.

Let’s take a look.

Can You Get Gum Disease After Having a Dental Implant?
You might be surprised to learn that after you get a dental implant, your chances of developing gum disease don’t go away. If you put off getting the proper care, you could develop peri-implantitis, which is just another form of gum disease.

Peri-implantitis occurs when an overload of bacteria affects the gum tissue and bone around a dental implant. When that happens, you will need to see your dentist about which treatment for gum disease in Gilbert, AZ, they recommend for you.

The symptoms of peri-implantitis are as follows:

Bleeding
Swelling
Bad breath
Loosening implant
How to Avoid Peri-Implantitis
Advanced peri-implantitis can cause your dental implant to fail and fall out completely. However, peri-implantitis can be avoided. Prevention is the key. You can use the following tips to help keep from getting peri-implantitis.

Adopt good brushing and flossing habits.
Visit your dentist regularly — twice a year at the minimum.
Talk with your dentist about a preventive treatment to stop bacteria before it starts.
Eat a healthy diet.
Stop smoking or vaping — these are big risk factors for getting peri-implantitis!
If you do develop peri-implantitis, treatment options are available to stop the disease. A peri-implantitis treatment will help stabilize and fix your implant. Talk with your dentist about what treatment options they recommend for your specific situation.

Do You Need a Dentist in Gilbert, AZ?
If you need a dentist in Gilbert, AZ, please Contact Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry today. We are a comprehensive dental practice that offers general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry in a comfortable, relaxing office using only state-of-the-art equipment to provide you with the best dental care possible.

Missing A Tooth? 4 Reasons Dental Implants May Be Right For You

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If you’re missing a permanent tooth, many prosthetic tooth options are available. Dental implants are one of the most popular types of dental prosthetics because of their natural appearance and easy functionality. Your dentist in Gilbert, AZ, can answer any questions that you might have about implants. See below for information about the many benefits of dental implants.

1. Dental Implants Look Natural

Dental implants are designed to look completely natural. In fact, dental implants are fitted for the wearer, and matched to the color of your teeth, so no one will be able to tell that your implant isn’t a real tooth. Your implant should also feel like a real tooth, so you won’t notice much difference between your implant and your real teeth either.

2. Dental Implants Function Like Your Real Teeth

Dental implants work just like your real teeth. They can be worn for regular eating, chewing and talking activities.

3. Dental Implants Are Easy to Maintain

Unlike dentures, dental implants don’t need to be removed from your mouth to be cleaned. They stay inside your mouth for regular cleaning procedures. In fact, dental implants are maintained just like natural teeth. They’re brushed twice daily, flossed once per day, and your dentist will examine your dental implant each time you go to the dentist for a cleaning.

4. Dental Implants Are Permanent

Once installed, dental implants are a permanent part of your mouth. Unlike dentures, dental implants are not able to slip around or come loose while talking or chewing.

Are you interested in dental implants in Gilbert, AZ? Call your dentist at Kathy Jacobsen Contemporary Dentistry today to make an appointment.