At Fedida Family Dentistry & Dental Spa, we provide restorative dentistry services to the Jackson Heights, NY community. If you are missing one or more teeth, we can help you restore your smile. Often, patients who are missing a tooth will need to decide between dental implants or dental bridges. Dental implants and dental bridges are both effective tooth replacement options; however, they are very different. Learn about the differences between these two tooth replacement options below.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered the premier tooth replacement option. This is because a dental implant is the closest restorative option you can get to replace the look, feel, and function of your missing tooth. A dental implant utilizes the support of a surgically implanted titanium post that is inserted beneath your soft tissues. Because the titanium post must fuse together with your jawbone, the healing time for a dental implant can be several months.

Once fully healed, an abutment will be attached to the top of the post and the implant will be topped with a dental crown. The final result will be a tooth that blends in seamlessly with your smile while also offering you tooth-root functionality. This means no dietary restrictions or oral hygiene hazards. As long as you maintain good dental health practices, your dental implant is considered a permanent tooth replacement option.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a cost-effective approach to tooth replacement. Because they do not require a surgical procedure, you can usually get a dental bridge within two visits to our Jackson Heights dentist office. A dental bridge utilizes the support of your surrounding teeth to hold a prosthetic tooth in place of the missing tooth. Because the bridge relies on your other teeth, we usually recommend that patients have dental crowns applied to the surrounding teeth for additional support.

Once complete, patients will be advised to avoid excessively crunchy or chewy foods that may damage the bridge hardware. Because the bridge hardware is fully external, while dental implants’ hardware is protected by your own soft tissues, patients will also need to ensure that they are brushing and flossing thoroughly around the dental bridge to avoid having food residue caught in the hardware.

If you are interested in learning more about your tooth replacement options in Jackson Heights, NY, please schedule an appointment with Fedida Family Dentistry & Dental Spa. We look forward to helping you restore your smile.