Is There Any Way to Replace a Tooth Without Using a Bridge?

By Michael Givens DDS PLLC | Published on November 1, 2011 | 0 Comments

Yes, patients who have been told in the past that they are not good candidates for traditional bridges now have an option that they can use to get the full, beautiful smiles they have always deserved. Dental implants are an excellent option for many adults with one or more missing teeth, explains Charlotte dental implants expert Dr. Michael O. Givens, DDS PLLC.

Speaking from his office in Charlotte, the dental implants restoration expert says that the advantage of implants over traditional partials and bridges is that implants allow a dentist to replace a tooth anywhere within the mouth without worrying about whether the patient has healthy teeth on either side of the open space. With bridges, patients need to have at least two healthy teeth on either side of the open space to facilitate placing the device. Implants have no such requirement.

In Charlotte, dental implants have become a sought-after alternative to bridges, in large part because they work for so many people. Additionally, opting for an implant over a bridge prevents the dentist from having to cut on otherwise healthy teeth just to replace a single missing tooth.

As a leading dentist in Charlotte, Dr. Givens is careful to point out that he does not place implants. Rather, he restores implants for satisfied patients. Nonetheless, he explains that anyone who is missing a single tooth or multiple teeth can be considered an excellent candidate for implants. The only factors that would make someone not a good candidate for implants would be if the person had a large amount of bone missing in his mouth or a major defect that was too large to graft.

Dr. Givens is a dental implants expert in Charlotte who says that there are also some health problems that can prevent a person from being a good candidate for implants. Without getting too technical, he explains that some people who have undergone radiation as a treatment for cancer may not be considered excellent candidates for dental implants.

The reason for this is because patients who fall into this category typically do not have bone that is as vascular as the bone in healthy patients. Placing an implant in this situation could lead to infections, which would be a much bigger problem than the implant itself was fixing. Thus, patients do need to be open and honest about any other medical conditions they are dealing with when discussing their dental implant options with a dentist.

*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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