Tooth Replacement
Implant Dentistry
Implants are a great way to replace your missing teeth. A dental implant is a new tooth made of steel and porcelain that looks just like your natural tooth.
Your implant is composed of two parts that mimic a tooth's root and crown. The implant's "root" is a titanium steel rod placed into the jaw bone. Once the rod is in place, a porcelain crown is attached to replace the top part of your tooth.
Dental implants may also be used to anchor dentures, especially lower dentures that tend to shift when you talk or chew. Plus, for patients with removable partial dentures, implants can replace missing teeth so that you have a more natural-looking smile.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to improve your tooth's shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken or worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.
A dental crown is "caps" cemented onto an existing tooth or dental implant, and fully covers the portion above the gumline. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface.
Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression, which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.
Dental Bridges
Bridges are used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress in your bite. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been.
Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.
The success of any bridge depends on its foundation - the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it's very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
Complete & Partial Dentures
A partial denture can be designed to replace several missing teeth in an upper or lower arch. Partial dentures are typically made with a flexible acrylic base, mounted with false teeth, secured with special fittings or dental implants. Partial dentures rely on remaining existing teeth and soft tissue for retention and support.
A complete denture replaces all the teeth in an upper or lower arch. A full denture is typically made with a durable acrylic base mounted with a complete set of false teeth. Implant-secured dentures can be an ideal option for added stability, a more natural appearance and improved function.
We want to preserve and restore your natural teeth whenever possible. All other replacement alternatives will be considered prior to recommending dentures. When dentures are the recommended treatment, we work closely with our patients to design a cosmetically-pleasing, comfortable and durable denture.
If you have missing teeth, it is crucial to replace them.
Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can destabilize your bite and cause you discomfort. Contact our office and schedule a consultation to explore all of the options for replacing missing teeth.