Frequently, patients come to us requesting a dental implant. The reason may be a missing tooth, a failing root canal, or a tooth that has broken down. While dental implants are an excellent and proven solution for replacing missing or non-restorable teeth, they are not always the only option.
Before deciding on an implant, it’s important to evaluate all possible treatments to restore or replace the tooth.
Assessing Your Options for a Missing Tooth
When a tooth is missing, we need to assess:
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The adjacent teeth
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The opposing teeth
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The way the teeth bite together
If the adjacent teeth are healthy and do not require any treatment, a dental implant is often the ideal solution.
However, if the neighbouring teeth have large fillings, cracks, or significant wear, they may need crowns for protection. In this situation, a three-unit dental bridge may provide a better overall outcome.
Should the Tooth Be Saved Instead?
If the tooth is still present, we assess whether it can be treated and restored.
In many cases, saving the natural tooth is:
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More cost-effective
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Less invasive
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Equally long-lasting
Multiple dental studies have shown that the long-term survival of well-treated natural teeth is comparable to dental implants.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan in Glen Iris
Whether your tooth is damaged, painful, or missing, the best treatment option depends on your individual dental condition.
If you’re unsure whether an implant, bridge, or tooth-saving treatment is best, we are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr Kaufman👉Call or book online Tooronga Family Dentistry on (03) 9822 7006 an examination and discuss which solutions are available for you.
📍 We proudly care for the smiles of the Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East communities.