Missing teeth can compromise your oral and overall health. They can also affect your speech, appearance, and self-esteem. If your missing teeth make you feel self-conscious, your dentist can suggest various treatment options to replace them.
Dental Bridges
A bridge is a device used to replace one or more missing teeth, and it can either be fixed or removable. Fixed bridges are used when replacing teeth in the back of the mouth, and they hold in place with the help of crowns placed on the adjacent healthy teeth. Removable bridges are secured with implants or by bonding to existing teeth on either side of the gap. Permanent bridges can be made from gold alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. The benefit of using permanent materials is that they look more natural and can last for many years.
Traditional Dentures
If your smile is missing many or all of your teeth, traditional full dentures could be the right option to replace them and restore your smile! Full dentures are made from a combination of acrylic resin and porcelain to look like natural teeth. They are custom-made to fit your mouth both in terms of size and tooth shape so that they look as natural as possible.
Many patients find that traditional partial and full dentures are the most affordable option for replacing missing teeth and improving the function of their smiles. Additionally, they are usually ready for placement in just a few weeks after the impressions are taken and sent to an offsite lab to create a custom denture.
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures are often an affordable option for replacing multiple missing teeth. Removable partials are worn during the day and taken out at night for cleaning, unlike fixed bridges which must be removed by the dentist regularly.
Partials can be made of resin or acrylic material that can be molded to your mouth for a secure and comfortable fit. The removable parts of the denture clip into place on your existing teeth in order to stabilize them in your mouth. If you are missing all of your teeth in your upper jaw, a full-arch bridge may be a better option for you.
Implant-supported Dentures
If you’ve lost several teeth or all of your teeth, then it’s time to consider implant-supported dentures. These dentures are anchored by dental implants that are placed into the jawbone. This makes them more stable than traditional, removable dentures, so you don’t have to worry about them slipping out of place when you smile, laugh, eat, or even just talk. You’ll also never have to worry about messy denture adhesives to keep your dentures in place, either. Just snap your dentures into place and go about your day!
Once these dental implants have healed and integrated with the jawbone, we will attach specially designed metal frameworks of your new dentures to those implants. Your new dentures can be snapped into these frames for easy removal at night. However, you may not be able to remove your dentures immediately. It may be a few weeks’ worth of healing before your dentures can be removed. But don’t worry – in the meantime; we’ll provide you with a set of temporary dentures to wear until we can place your final set. Once your final set has been placed, your treatment is complete, and you can move on with your life!
Ifyou’reready to learn more about ways to replace missing teeth, feel free to contact our office and schedule a consultation with our caring Mesa dentist today!
