Dental implants are one of the most awesome and innovative restorative dental solutions around, capable of fully restoring lost teeth in terms of look, feel, and functionality. And better yet, these posts are designed with the future in mind and can persist under optimal circumstances for virtually a lifetime. That said, you might be wondering if it’s possible to replace existing dental restorations, such as bridges, with dental implants—and the answer is yes! Keep reading to learn a little more from your trusted dentist about dental implants and how they can be used to upgrade older restorations.
A Closer Look at Dental Implants & Dental Bridges
Dental implants utilize a biocompatible, titanium post that’s surgically placed directly into the jawbone. This post mimics the roots of your natural teeth, meaning that it doesn’t just provide a stable foundation for your replacement teeth—it also provides healthy stimulation to your jawbone, which prevents bone resorption. A customized crown is placed on top of the implant once the surgical sites have healed; it will look and function exactly like your original tooth, and it won’t require any specialized care.
Dental bridges have been used for a much longer time than dental implants, and it would be unfair to discredit their efficacy when it comes to replacing missing teeth. However, while dental implants rely on titanium posts to support the replacement teeth, bridges rely on healthy adjacent teeth. This means that dental bridges, by design, simply aren’t as resilient as dental implants—so can they be replaced by them?
Yes, Dental Implants Can Replace Existing Restorations
The short answer here is yes, a dental implant can replace an existing bridge. If the bridge is no longer functioning properly and putting other teeth or oral structures at risk, replacing it with an implant is often the best choice anyway. You might also simply wish to replace your bridge with an implant for cosmetic purposes.
In order for a dental implant to replace a bridge, there needs to be enough underlying bone mass for the implant to fuse with. Patients with inadequate jawbone density might require a supplemental bone graft.
The bottom line is that missing teeth should always be replaced, and both dental bridges and dental implants offer unique benefits for addressing the issue. That said, you can also rest assured that if you have a bridge and would like to upgrade to a dental implant, it’s very possible!
About the Practice
Our team here at Elite Oral Surgery Associates is excited to offer patients and families near Worcester an unmatched level of care! We’re fortunate to have two skilled specialists at the helm: Dr. Harry Golnazarian has several years of experience in a wide range of fields, including restorative dentistry. If you have any questions about upgrading to dental implants, or you’d like to schedule a visit, please feel free to contact us online to find a location near you!
