subject: When Teeth Are Lost, Understand Your Options [print this page] Some teeth, even with the best care, can be lost. All of our patients are made aware that these teeth can be replaced with dental implants, bridge, partials, dentures and implant supported dentures. Your dentist in Sarasota works with you to create the best treatment plan for replacing your missing teeth, because no one should have to "put up with" missing teeth.
Dental Bridges Close the Gap between Missing Teeth
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of your missing teeth. Since they are custom-made, bridges are not noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth, in addition to the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth. Sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, bridges are permanent and bonded to existing teeth or implants. Some bridges are removable and can be cleaned, while others need to be removed by your Sarasota dentist.
A resin-bond bridge requires less preparation of adjacent teeth and is often used to replace your front teeth. This is only possible if your gums are healthy and your surrounding teeth do not have extensive dental fillings. If you are a candidate for a dental bridge, you will be given a local anesthetic so that your dentist can prepare your teeth that require the support of the bridge. If the support of your teeth are decayed or badly broken down, your dentist will have to build them back up in order to successfully apply a dental bridge.
Dental Implants Replace Missing Teeth for a Permanent Solution
Dental implants are used to replace damaged or missing teeth with artificial tooth roots that look and function like real teeth. Offering a welcoming alternative to removable dentures or bridgework, implants are a top choice for dental restoration. Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss due to tooth decay and gum disease or injury to their mouth. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures.
With improvements in dental care, dental implants are now available for your smile restoration.
Acting as replacement tooth roots, dental implants provide a strong foundation for permanent or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. Rather than resting on the gum line like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your cosmetic dentist surgically places in your jawbone.
Dentures: The Basics
During your initial visit to evaluate the need for dentures, your dentist will examine your gums and supporting bone structure to identify the appropriate treatment plan. In some cases, oral surgery is performed to correct bony ridges that may interfere with the stability of the denture and other cases, the remaining teeth may need to be extracted before the dentures can be placed. Once your dentist has assessed your need for dentures and decided that they are right for you, he will make an impression of the gums to identify every ridge and crevice to ensure the best fit possible.
Complete dentures are made when gums are restored to a healthy condition and sufficient time has passed for healing. Complete dentures will replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaws of the mouth. Your gums will naturally shrink during the healing process of tooth loss, which typically takes from six to 12 months and during this period dentures may require adjustments to accommodate the changes in the gums and underlying bone structure.
An overdenture is a removable dental prosthesis that covers and rests on one or more remaining tooth roots while a removable partial denture replaces only some teeth and is built around existing natural teeth. Both overdenture and the removable partial denture may be connected to remaining tooth roots or remaining natural teeth with anchors made of metal or plastic.
Contact your Sarasota dentist to discuss the best treatment method for improving the appearance of your smile when teeth are missing.
by: Gen Wright
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