If you have ever felt self-conscious about missing teeth, you owe it to yourself to schedule a consultation with our restorative dentist. Tooth replacement is important not only for the appearance of your smile, but also for your oral health. Let’s take a look at three common tooth replacement options:
- Dental bridges
- Dentures
- Dental implants
1. Dental Bridges
Like the name suggests, a dental bridge “bridges” the gap in your smile left by a missing tooth. It consists of a false tooth anchored in place on both sides by dental crowns.
Fast Procedure
Your dentist may recommend a dental bridge if you don’t want to wait months for a dental implant to fuse to your jawbone. In fact, a dental bridge can be made in two appointments—or just one if we use CEREC® same-day crowns.
2. Dentures
Whether you’ve lost one or more teeth, you may want to ask about getting full or partial dentures. are removable false teeth that help you eat and speak normally after major tooth loss.
Maintenance & Care
Although dentures slip occasionally when you sneeze or cough, this can be easily corrected by biting down gently and swallowing. If you notice your dentures slipping more often, don’t hesitate to call our office to see about getting your dentures refitted.
While wearing dentures, it’s important to continue taking care of your oral health. We recommend brushing your gums to avoid plaque buildup in empty sockets. Otherwise, bleeding gums could make it painful to wear your denture teeth.
You’ll also need to keep your dentures submerged in water or cleanser any time they’re not in your mouth to avoid cracking and warping.
3. Dental Implants
A is a prosthetic tooth root, usually made of titanium, used to anchor a dental crown. While dental implant surgery is more invasive than other tooth replacement options, it is also longer lasting.
Benefits
Many of our patients appreciate dental implants because they look and function like natural teeth. A tooth implant fuses with your jawbone over time so it won’t slip like dentures. Dental implants can last a lifetime if given proper care.
Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants stimulate jawbone tissue so it doesn’t deteriorate over time. Jawbone deterioration is a serious issue because it affects your oral health and the shape of your face. Dental implants also help hold adjacent teeth in place so they don’t loosen and eventually fall out.
Candidates
To be a good candidate for the dental implant procedure, you must have healthy gum and jawbone tissue. However, if you don’t have sufficient jawbone tissue, our dentist may recommend a bone graft.
Restore Your Smile With the Right Tooth Replacement
If you aren’t sure which tooth replacement option is right for you, schedule a consultation with our dentist as soon as possible. The sooner we can address oral health issues like missing teeth, the sooner we can prevent further tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and facial collapse.
Our Grand Rapids, MI, restorative dentist can help you restore your smile after tooth loss. Call Precision Family Dental today at (616) 949-1570, or contact us online to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.