How to Replace Just One Missing Tooth

Losing most or all of your teeth on a single dental ridge can devastate your smile. Fortunately, dentures have long been able to promote patients’ continued good oral health after suffering significant tooth loss. However, what do you do if you’ve only lost one tooth?

Traditionally, a dental bridge has been the dental prosthetic of choice for replacing a single lost tooth. It consists of two crowns on either side of your replacement tooth that are attached to your remaining teeth for security. However, in a quest to retain as much healthy tooth structure as possible, especially when trying to preserve your oral health, your dentist may recommend an alternative. For instance, we offer dental implant-supported crowns for optimal single-tooth replacement without the need for a bridge.

Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants and Crowns

Dental bridges are effective at restoring your mouth’s ability to chew, but rather than restoring your entire tooth, they can only replace the top portions (also called crowns). Without the root foundation of a natural tooth, dental bridges rely on the teeth adjacent to the gap, called abutment teeth.

By contrast, a dental implant is surgically inserted into your jawbone, which fuses to the implant’s titanium surface. Once healed, your implant can complete your tooth restoration by replacing your lost teeth’s roots without the need for harming remaining tooth structure. Once your jawbone has healed, your dentist can top the implant with a lifelike dental crown to replace the visible portion of your lost tooth.

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