Any number of missing teeth can impact your smile’s appearance and health. While most patients are highly aware of the emotional and psychological impacts of having missing teeth, they rarely understand the impact it has on their oral health.
Just one missing tooth raises a person’s risk of developing gum disease, tooth decay, tooth movement, further tooth loss, and jawbone atrophy. These are serious oral health conditions that must be considered and are the driving force behind restorative dentistry.
At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we want all of our patients to feel confident about their smiles. However, optimal oral health is our main goal. With restorative dentistry options like dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants, everyone is happy! Each of these provides healthy, functional, and beautiful smiles.
Learn more about each of these restorative dental options in this blog.
Dentures
Both partial and full dentures are used to restore function and aesthetics to a person’s smile. Partial dentures can replace one or several missing teeth scattered throughout the mouth, and full dentures can replace a full arch of missing teeth.
Each denture is custom designed and fabricated to look and function like natural teeth. Partial dentures reduce the risk of tooth movement, full dentures support facial muscles, and both options improve speech and restore function.
While dentures may be a good option for you, consider that they may not be the best one. Denture patients often complain about the prosthetic moving around while they are talking and eating which causes severe discomfort. Dentures also need to be replaced or refitted regularly.
Dental Bridge
One, two, or three consecutively missing teeth can be replaced with a dental bridge. This dental restoration is made up of pontics (or prosthetic teeth) and one or two dental crowns. Dentists use the patient’s natural teeth on either side of the gap to secure the bridge in place. They must remove a small amount of dental enamel and fix the crowns to them.
Unlike dentures, dental bridges are permanent, providing stability and comfort. Patients who desire a dental bridge must be in good oral health, so free of gum disease and tooth decay, and only have missing teeth in one part of their smile.
Problems like gum disease and tooth decay can be addressed before the dental bridge treatment process begins. However, if you are not a suitable candidate for a dental bridge, the dentist may recommend dental implants.
Dental Implants
Compared to other tooth replacement options, dental implants are relatively new to the dental field. However, decades of research have proven that these dental restorations are more successful, durable, and long-lasting than any other restorative option.
Because of this, dentists recommend them to most patients with missing teeth. Unlike other restorative options, dental implants replace the tooth root. The threaded titanium post is embedded into the patient’s jawbone by an oral surgeon. This begins a natural process called osseointegration during which the jawbone and implant fuse together so patients no longer experience jawbone atrophy. Once this is complete, the dentist secures a dental crown, bridge, or denture to the implant for optimal stability.
With dental implants, patients no longer worry about food restrictions, painful rubbing, or sunken facial features. Though the process is long, both dentists and patients agree that it is worth it!
Restorative Dentistry for Missing Teeth in Lombard, IL
Are you ready to smile confidently again? Want to enjoy all of your favorite foods without the fear of hurting your gums? Call our Dental Care of Lombard dental team today at (630) 629-5700 to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Julie Glud.
