3 Ways You Can Replace Missing Teeth

Having missing teeth in your smile can do more than just impact your appearance. Without every tooth present, you put yourself at risk for further loss of bone, tooth, and natural facial structure. Fortunately, our Washington dentist offers several tooth-replacement options designed to fill gaps and enhance your smile.

Here are 3 ways you can replace missing teeth and feel confident around others.

1. Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots commonly made of titanium that once topped with a dental crown, closely resemble natural teeth. In fact, implants blend in so seamlessly with the rest of your smile that most people will not even be able to tell you’ve had one (or multiple) placed by our dentist.

Shaped like small metal screws, dental implants are permanently embedded into your jawbone for long-term stability. That means they’re fixed in place and will not move while you eat, speak, and smile.

After our dentist has surgically placed your dental implant, you will need time to heal and allow for the implant to properly fuse with your jawbone. On average, the healing process takes a few months but every patient is different and our dentist can discuss your individual situation with you.

Once fully fused and healed, the abutment, or connector piece, is placed and the crown is applied on top of that to complete the restoration.

2. Full or Partial Dentures

Whether all of your teeth are missing or you do not want to commit to the dental implant process, our dentist can recommend a form of removable dentures to you. Both full and partial dentures are custom-made and involve false teeth attached to a gum-colored base that rests on top of your gum line.

Patients with many teeth gone are better suited for full dentures whereas those missing only one or two teeth will benefit more from partial dentures. Our dentist can perform a thorough dental exam and speak with you about what works best for your smile.

Unlike dental implants, dentures will take some time to get used to after they’re in place. You may notice excess saliva, a bulky or loose feeling, and a sensation that your tongue does not have enough room. All of this is normal and will dissipate after a few weeks of regular wear. If fit issues continue, our dentist would be happy to make adjustments for you.

3. Dental Bridge

You can think of a dental bridge as just that, a bridge. This permanent, fixed form of tooth restoration often consists of one false, or pontic, tooth placed in the middle of two adjacent dental crowns. The false tooth is meant to rest on your gums while the crowns fit over two supporting abutment teeth.

The first step in receiving a bridge is the preparation of the abutment teeth. Our dentist will need to remove a small portion of enamel from these teeth so that the incoming crowns have room to properly fit on top. A temporary bridge will then be placed for protection until the final version is fabricated and ready for application.

If you’re looking to close a gap in your smile, a bridge is a great way to do just that. It’s durable, long-lasting, and is natural-looking so others will not suspect you have a dental bridge.

Fill in Smile Gaps With Our Tooth-Replacement Options

Build up your confidence and reduce your risk of future oral health problems with a restoration that works for you. Our dentist in Washington, MI, can assess the degree of tooth loss and recommend a solution based on your preferences. Call Romeo Family Dentistry today at (586) 752-3589 or contact us online to set up an appointment.