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Spanish Imagine you had to cross from one end of a playground to another. Would it be easier to walk across a bridge or swing across on the monkey bars? If your arms are anything like ours, the bridge would be much easier! Maybe it’s because standing on something below us provides greater stability than hanging off something above us. This same principle illustrates a key difference between partial dentures and implant bridges—two common tooth replacement methods. Stabilizing a tooth is much more effective if it is supported from below.
Dental implants are titanium posts inserted into the jawbone. They offer a firm foundation for restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures. Partial dentures, in contrast, clip to remaining teeth. Both are options for replacing missing teeth, but only an implant-supported bridge gives you the stability, reliability, and functionality of dental implants.
Understanding Partial Dentures
Partial dentures can replace one or more missing teeth by attaching to your remaining natural teeth with metal or acrylic clasps. Unlike full dentures, which replace an entire arch of teeth, partial dentures are ideal for individuals who still retain some healthy teeth. We customize them to fit your mouth and match your existing teeth, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Like many older tooth replacement solutions, partial dentures come with certain challenges. A partial denture is removable, and you need to clean it nightly. Some see this as a convenience, others as a daily chore. While they restore some eating and speaking functionality, they can’t match your original teeth. This is largely due to their limited stability, reduced biting force, and sensory differences.
A partial denture also does nothing to address the issue of tooth loss that comes with missing teeth. When you lose a tooth, the jawbone is no longer stimulated by the roots. As a result, it begins to deteriorate. Eventually, this leads to functional problems and changes in your facial structure that make you look older than you are.
Implant Bridges: The Partial Dentures Alternative
If the drawbacks of partial dentures sound like dealbreakers, then an implant-supported bridge may be more what you’re looking for. An implant bridge is different because it’s supported from below by dental implants. These titanium screws go directly into the jawbone and provide much stronger support for replacement teeth. The connection to the jawbone means an implant bridge functions like your natural teeth, offering better functionality than partial dentures.
The implant also replaces your missing tooth root and stimulates the jawbone to prevent bone loss. It keeps your facial structure intact, and the firm connection to the jaw helps your teeth look and feel more natural. Finally, it prevents your other teeth from shifting, keeping your smile and bite aligned while offering a more secure tooth replacement solution.
The Mini Dental Implant Advantage
Traditional dental implants are great for stabilizing dental restorations but have a few downsides. They require an invasive placement procedure, months of healing times, and potentially a bone graft before we can even begin. To solve those problems, Dr. Aristodemo offers mini dental implants. These smaller, more modern implants provide the same strength and reliability as their larger predecessors at a fraction of the size.
Mini implants are approximately the width of a toothpick. This means we can place them by creating a tiny pilot hole through the gums. No incisions or stitches are needed! Their minimal invasiveness makes mini implants a wise choice for patients with dental anxiety or those looking for a more efficient tooth replacement avenue. While traditional implants take months to heal, mini implants fully fuse with your jawbone in just a few weeks.
Finally, because mini implants use a quicker, minimally invasive procedure that requires fewer visits to the dentist, they are also more affordable than traditional implants.
The Cost of Tooth Replacement
When choosing between tooth replacement options, it’s important to consider both the immediate and long-term costs. The cost of replacing missing teeth depends on the type of prosthetic, the complexity of the case, and whether additional procedures are required.
Our experienced team will work with your insurance company to ensure you’re maximizing your benefits. For those without insurance, we have an in-office savings program that offers discounts on most dental services. We also partner with financing companies that offer monthly payment plans, making tooth replacement accessible on any budget. Our team is here to help patients navigate these financial options to find a solution that meets their needs without causing undue stress.
Schedule a Consultation Today and Get Your Smile Back!
If you’re considering partial dentures or implant bridges as a solution for tooth loss, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us. Dr. Aristodemo is here to guide you through the process, helping you achieve a restored smile with the comfort and confidence you deserve. Contact us today to learn how you can transform your oral health and quality of life with mini dental implants.
