Missing Tooth Solutions

Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.

Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.

If you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, your dentist will ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed by your dentist and possibly by a dental specialist that your dentist has recommended.

Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn't necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth, a bridge is one option to maintain proper function of your mouth.

A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable.

Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.

Dentures

A denture is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth to replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips. Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated in different ways. The teeth are made of plastic, porcelain or a combination thereof.

A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.

An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.

Dentures can be fabricated to fit over endodontically treated teeth or dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance.

An upper denture is acrylic and covers the palate (roof of the mouth).

A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.

Dentures, over a normal course of time, will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink which naturally occurs after the extraction of the teeth. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissues can be checked for disease or change and adjustments can be made to the dentures as needed.