Nothing is more rewarding than having reasons to smile! Dentistry offers various treatments to bring back the smile. For those who have lost a tooth or need repairs, the question is about the fixed dental bridge and the implant. What are the differences? What do I need to do? The Dentist, Master in Implantology, Specialist in Periodontology, and Clinical Director of IOS – Instituto Odontológico, Dr. Marlei Bonella explains both cases.
The fixed dental bridge is an artificial piece made to replace one or more missing teeth. "It is necessary to grind at least two teeth to replace one tooth. As the name suggests, the two adjacent teeth serve as support for the pontic. On the other hand, the dental implant is the most modern and permanent solution to replace missing teeth. "It consists of inserting a titanium screw into the maxilla bone, which will be the artificial root of the tooth, on which the dental prosthesis is fixed," says Marlei.
What is the importance of these treatments? "The improvement in overall health," says the dentist, who lists the positive factors: Improvement in chewing – the presence of healthy teeth allows for efficient and proper chewing - Bone Preservation: The loss of teeth can lead to bone resorption in the jaw, and implants help preserve the alveolar bone, stimulating it similarly to the natural roots of teeth. Improvement in Speech: The absence of teeth can affect speech, leading to pronunciation and articulation problems. Self-esteem: replacing missing teeth with implants can significantly improve the aesthetics of the smile, helping the person feel better about themselves.
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