If your dentist has recently informed you that one of your teeth needs to be extracted, you may be concerned about the way that the new gap in your mouth will affect your appearance. However, a missing tooth can easily be replaced by a dental implant or a dental bridge. Still, a dental implant may be the preferred option. Here are a few reasons why.

A dental implant offers the same stimulation and stabilization as the natural root of a tooth.

When your dentist installs a dental implant, he or she places the implant screw inside the jawbone. Over time, the jaw bone itself fuses with the dental implant, making it a permanent fixture in your mouth. Since a dental implant replaces the natural root of a tooth, it offers the same advantages of the dental root.

For instance, a dental implant stimulates the jawbone when you chew or bite. The stimulation is important because it helps the bone maintain an adequate level of density. When the jawbone no longer receives stimulation, it may atrophy. This results in a loss of bone mass. 

Unlike a dental implant, a dental bridge does not provide bone stimulation. The bridge consists of two bridge crowns and a false tooth attached to a bridge base. Each bridge crown lies on an end of the appliance. The false tooth is suspended in the center. Since the false teeth is suspended at the gum line, it does not transfer back pressure to the underlying jaw bone.

In addition, the root of a tooth stabilizes the tooth inside the bone. In a similar manner, osseointegration, which is the fusion of the implant screw with the jawbone, causes the implant to remain stable inside the mouth without the involvement of other teeth. However, a dental bridge relies on the bonding of the bridge crowns to underlying natural teeth or dental implants for stabilization. 

Dental implants don't damage natural teeth.

Since the installation of a dental implant is not dependent on natural teeth for support or stabilization, natural teeth that border the implant site can remain intact. However, dental bridges are stabilized when bridge crowns are affixed to underlying natural teeth. In order for the bridge crowns to be placed, the underlined teeth must be debrided first. The shaving away of natural tooth enamel permanently damages the teeth in order to allow the crowns to be properly placed.

If you have a missing tooth and are interested in receiving a dental implant, contact a dentist in your area like Elma Family Dental.