If you are missing one or more teeth and are in good health, you are in luck because you have a few excellent restoration options. Tooth replacement has come a long way in the last 30 years. Missing and extracted teeth raise common concerns of function and esthetics, so choosing the proper restoration procedure for you is the key to a confident smile for many years to come. Today, a tooth replacement procedure can give you a new tooth that looks, feels and functions as naturally as the original.
You may have been born with a missing tooth, lost one or more teeth due to injury, decay, gum disease, infection or another reason. Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious when eating, talking or smiling, and create oral health problems as well. Below is a description of some of the more common tooth replacement options we offer at Northgate Dental.
Dental Implants
Our most popular restoration procedure, the dental implant, replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. More natural looking than other options, dental implants are more stable and typically longer lasting than many other tooth replacement options. Surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth. They have the important advantage of stimulating the bone under the tooth, thus avoiding bone loss. While dental implants may have a higher up-front cost, they tend to last longer – perhaps even a lifetime, making them very cost effective over the life span of the implant. Made of titanium and other materials, implants are designed to hold restorations (like crowns or bridges) and to blend in with your other teeth. The major benefit of implants is solid support for your new tooth replacement.
Fixed Bridges
Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A common tooth replacement option, the process of adding this type of restoration involves some removal of the adjacent tooth structure on either side of the gap, then adding a bridge across those teeth made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials to support the missing tooth.
What are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?
- Restoring your smile
- Restoring the ability to properly chew and speak
- Distributing the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
- Preventing your remaining teeth from drifting out of position
Because there is no tooth or implant stimulating the jawbone, the natural bone underneath a tooth-supported bridge may deteriorate over time changing the appearance of your smile and face. This can be serious, so it is important that you check with your dentist to discuss your options.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While dentures take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as one’s natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever. A partial denture consists of a metal framework that attaches to your natural teeth. Sometimes crowns are placed on some of your natural teeth and serve as anchors for the partial denture. Partial dentures offer a removable alternative to bridges and are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions taken of your mouth. There are options here and your dentist will help you determine which type of partial denture is best for you.
Our Practice Is Built Around Your Smile
A beautiful and healthy smile is just around the corner at Northgate Dental. To discover which teeth replacement or dental procedure is best for you please contact us. We will be more than glad to help with any advice we can. Or if you prefer, request an appointment and receive a free consultation. We look forward to improving your teeth, your smile and your health.
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