Sometimes patients come into our office with the effects of trauma, injury, or poor dental hygiene that has resulted in a severely damaged smile. Between cracked, chipped, broken, or missing teeth, yellowing or discoloration, and deep-seated decay, your smile can be the source of many harmful and long-term health problems. Fortunately, at our office, we can provide you with a number of solutions.
Every restorative case is different and may require more than one type of treatment to correct your smile.
If you are unsure whether or not you should consider full-mouth rehabilitation, we recommend reviewing the following list, which contains dental conditions best suitable for full-mouth reconstruction and restoration:
- Multiple missing teeth
- Severely worn-down teeth
- Severely decayed teeth throughout most of your mouth
- Severely eroded enamel
- Traumatic injury to the mouth or teeth
- Congenital disorders, causing missing teeth, missing enamel, or poorly-formed teeth
- A deep bite (when the top teeth extend too far over the bottom teeth)
- A patient who wants instant orthodontics on every tooth (with the use of veneers, bridges, or other restorations)
If you are not satisfied with your smile, then we can help. It begins with a consultation where we will sit down together and evaluate your situation and come up with our treatment plan.
We tell you exactly what you can expect during the process and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us today if you have any further questions about smile restoration.
Replacing Missing Teeth with a Dental Bridge
Adult teeth may be lost due to a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons can be advanced periodontal disease, trauma or decay. Whatever the reason, missing teeth can cause other problems and even embarrassment. If they are not replaced, your other teeth can drift out of position and that area of your mouth can become susceptible to gum disease or result in the decay of the surrounding teeth.
A bridge is a restorative structure that is used to replace missing teeth. A bridge normally consists of one or more false teeth that are held in place by fixtures that attach to the surrounding teeth.
There are two types of bridges. One is called a fixed bridge and the other is a removable bridge. Fixed bridges are cemented into place and cannot be taken out while partials are not permanently attached and can be removed at night for cleaning purposes.
A bridge can dramatically improve the overall appearance of your teeth that have gone missing do to decay, trauma or extractions. The materials that are used to make a bridge can be matched in color to your natural teeth and at the same time provide structural support.
Removable Partial
A removable partial denture consist of an artificial tooth or teeth that have small attachments on either side and they are anchored to the teeth beside it. This type of denture is removable and can be taken out and cleaned and then put back in. The attachments on the partial can be made of metal or other flexible material that blends into the surrounding areas of your mouth.
Procedure for a Fixed Bridge
The teeth on either side of the empty space must be prepped in order to receive the crowns of the bridge. Then an impression will be taken of the whole area which includes the missing area and the two teeth next to it. This impression is then sent to a lab and a bridge is custom designed to fit comfortably in your mouth. Just as with the placement of a crown, a temporary bridge will be put in place to protect your teeth and gums while the restoration is being constructed.
If you have missing teeth, a fixed bridge may be a great solution for you. Give our office a call today and set up an appointment and let’s see if a bridge is the right solution for fixing your missing teeth.
Dental Implants
Missing teeth are sure cute on little kids but for adults it can be a real embarrassment. Missing teeth can make you feel awkward in a crowd and even make you feel embarrassed when talking with family and friends or engaging others in public places. This is not to mention it can affects the way you chew your food and can even cause the other teeth in your mouth to move around.
The most common treatment options for missing teeth has been either dentures, partials or a bridge. However, each of these have particular drawbacks to them. That’s why we recommend dental implants when replacing missing teeth.
A dental implant is essentially a man-made tooth root. This implant is generally made out of titanium and displaced into the bone of the lower or upper arch. An abutment is then screwed into the dental implant and a porcelain crown is then made to fit over the abutment. This is a permanent and beautiful solution to missing teeth.
Types of Dental Implants
There are different types of dental implants you need to be aware of:
- Single Tooth Implants
- All-On-4 Dental Implants
- All-On-6 Dental Implants
Single tooth dental implants are just as the name implies. A single implant is placed where the missing tooth was and one crown is placed on top of the implant.
All-on-4 and All-on-6 dental implants are virtually the same and the only difference is the number of implants placed in the arch. There is however a difference in these type of implants versus the single tooth implant.
With the All-On-4 or All-On-6 type of implant, instead of a single tooth being afixed to the implant a hybrid denture is fashioned and placed on top of the implants. This hybrid denture looks like a full set of teeth and they function like a full set of teeth. When they are placed on top of the implants, they are then screwed down into the implant and become a permanent solution. This is unlike dentures that have to be removed and placed in a glass every night.
With dental implants you can taste your food better, chew your food better and have a beautiful and natural looking smile just as if you had your real teeth. You will also be able to speak better and chew your food properly.
Another reason dental implants are such an effective treatment option for missing teeth is that it helps prevent bone loss. This is not the case with dentures, bridges or partials. By not replacing your teeth with an implant it can result in loss of gum tissue, misaligned teeth, and misalignment of the facial bones. It can literally make you look older than you really are.
If you have missing teeth and you’ve been wondering about the options you have to replace those missing teeth, then give dental implants your consideration. You will find that dental implants is the most effective and most aesthetically pleasing way to replace missing teeth and give you a natural looking smile.
Call us today if you are interested in dental implants. We will be glad to sit down with you and explain all of your options and come up with a treatment plan that is best for you.
Dentures and Partials
Missing teeth have become more common for a variety of reasons. Now there are several solutions for replacing missing teeth but one of the most common is dentures.
There are two types of dentures. One type addresses total tooth loss (full dentures) while the other replaces several missing teeth and is custom made to fit between existing biological teeth (partials). Both types of dentures are made for the unique size and shape of a person’s mouth and gums.
Made in dental labs from very precise molds, dentures are meant to fit comfortably over the gums or between teeth so that patients who have experienced tooth loss can enjoy a restored smile and improved oral function. All dentures are made from high-quality materials that look and function similarly to natural teeth.
Implant Support Dentures
Dentistry has advanced over time and now we have ways of helping you with a permanent solution to your tooth loss needs. This is called an “implant supported denture.”
Either 4 or 6 implants are placed into the upper or lower arch. A set of hybrid dentures that are made for this type of treatment are then placed on to the implants and screwed down to the implants for a permanent fit.
If you are missing several teeth or all of them, then the first thing you should do is give us a call and let us have a consultation about your particular situation. Our practice is dedicated to offering a compassionate and welcoming environment so that our guests feel comfortable visiting us.
At your consultation, we will perform a thorough oral checkup to determine if you are a candidate for conventional dentures, a partial or an implant supported denture. We will also help you review the costs associated with treatment so that you can choose the right prosthetic for your budget and your needs.
Call us today. We will be glad to assist you.
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To Ensure Your Dental Treatment is Affordable, We Accept Most Forms of Insurance