What’s the difference between a bridge and an implant?
A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth. A crown (or dental cap) is placed on each tooth on each side next to the missing tooth. A bridge is glued into place and is not removed from your mouth. A dental bridge must be flossed in a special way. It requires the use of additional home care techniques and materials that we will go over with you when you decide to replace your tooth/teeth with a bridge.
A dental implant is a tiny screw that is placed underneath your gums where your tooth is missing to replace the root of the tooth. This substitute tooth root is allowed to heal for a period of time, usually 3-4 months. Once it is healed the dentist will attach a “connector” piece to the implant and then a crown (dental cap) on top of that connector piece. A dental implant does not come in and out of your mouth and feels the most like having your own tooth back in your mouth. A dental implant does not require any special flossing technique.