Do you have a single missing tooth? What about multiple missing teeth or even total tooth loss? If so, then our team could help with dental prosthetics! From bridges to implant-secured dentures, we can offer a full and beautiful smile again. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS, dentist talks about prosthetic dentistry.
The Causes of Tooth Loss
Losing your teeth can lead to major problems for the health, function, and appearance of your smile. But how do we lose our natural teeth? Tooth loss could occur due to issues like a severe infection or cavity, or even due to injury to the face or jaw. The most common factor behind missing teeth is periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. As part of your prosthetic appointment, we will assess the cause and extent of your tooth loss with advanced imaging technology. This can help us choose the most appropriate dental prosthetic, and also give us the information necessary to treat any underlying oral health concerns to avoid further tooth loss or complications for your replacement teeth.
The Dangers of Missing Teeth
What dangers will missing teeth pose for your oral health? Obviously, this gap could cause embarrassment for our patients, and lead to issues with social engagement and overall quality of life. But missing teeth also mean open gaps in the smile that could allow nearby teeth to drift from position, which causes misalignment and poorer oral health. The strain on the jaw joints from lost teeth could lead to complications like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You could be severely limited in your meal options, which deprives you of your favorite dishes and limits nutritional intake too. Lost teeth could also lead to issues with clear speech. Finally, you could develop an aged appearance as your jawbone weakens due to missing tooth roots! But we can help with our dental prosthetics.
Dental Bridges
If you have a single missing tooth, or as many as three to four in a row, then we could offer help with a dental bridge. The prosthetic contains new teeth and crowns attached to the ends of the prosthetic. We then attach the crowns to the teeth on each side of the gap, securing your new teeth firmly in place. This option can last as long as 15 years in some cases!
Partial Dentures
If you have multiple gaps across your smile, this could be too much for a bridge. But we can create a partial denture instead. The prosthetic will contain new ceramic teeth set in an acrylic base, one that looks like gum tissue. There will also be metal clasps that connect to natural teeth before your new ones firmly in place, fitting these new teeth in the gaps in your smile. The removable denture can last about 5 to 10 years on average, requiring replacement as the jaw ridge changes shape.
Full Dentures
If you are missing most or all of your teeth, then we could offer a full set of dentures, with a complete row of ceramic teeth in an acrylic base. Suction or adhesives can secure these new teeth in place!
Dental Implants
For an option that looks and functions like natural teeth, we could offer dental implants. These are inserted surgically into the jaw, and act like new tooth roots. This means the body resumes the flow of nutrients so the jawbone doesn’t weaken, allowing your new teeth to stay in place for decades to come, possibly a lifetime. We then complete the implant with a lifelike crown, so you have a new tooth that looks natural and can handle daily bite forces with ease.
Implant-Retained Dentures
We could also secure a set of fixed dentures with our dental implants, so you have a set that can stay in place for decades to come, and will never slip when you eat or speak. These can act like natural teeth and offer a new level of confidence for our patients. If you have any questions about prosthetic dentistry, or about talking in the gaps in your smile, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you smile with confidence again, and avoid the complications of tooth loss.
Schedule a Visit for Tooth Replacement
Our team wants to offer durable, long-lasting, and lifelike tooth replacements. To learn more about replacing your missing teeth, or to schedule your next visit with us, call Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at (913)681-5500. A full smile is possible, and we are ready to help with prosthetic dentistry!
