Dental Implants, Dentures, or Bridges…Which Is Best for Missing Teeth?
Is Your Smile Missing Any Teeth?
Having to force a smile with missing teeth can not only be embarrassing, but it’s widely known that people who feel self-conscious about their smile can actually have a lower self-esteem.
Beyond the aesthetics and the emotional impact, missing teeth has a major impact on the structure of your jawbone and can result in major issues with overall health.
Even if you lose just one tooth, this can lead to the surrounding actually migrating toward the empty space left.
The misalignment and empty space where natural tooth structure should be, often times results in increases tooth decay & gum disease issues.
Teeth play an important role in talking, eating and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss is not natural, and it’s not something that just occurs with age.
Missing teeth must be replaced to maintain the proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.
At Wayne Dental Arts, Dr. Frank V. Maldonado offers several solutions for replacing missing teeth.
3 Treatment Options Available for Missing Teeth at Our Wayne NJ Dental Office
If you have any missing teeth and you would like to see what your options are, just call us at (978) 694-8625.
To close the unsightly gaps left as a result of one or more missing teeth, dentists mostly offer three solutions.
1. Dentures
A denture or a complete denture as it is often called, is an appliance that is inserted in the mouth, replaces natural teeth and provides support for the cheeks and lips.
Most dentures are made of acrylic and can be fabricated two different ways.
- A conventional denture is made after all teeth have been extracted and the tissues (gums) have healed.
- An immediate denture is fabricated and inserted immediately after the teeth are extracted and the tissues are allowed to heal under the denture.
- An upper denture has acrylic, usually flesh colored, that covers the palate (roof of the mouth).
- A lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for the tongue.
Dentures will wear down and even become loose over time, and they often need replacement or adjustment to maintain a secure fit.
For people who have dentures, the alignment of their jaw will actually change because of how the bone and gum ridges recede or shrink due to the missing tooth structure.
At our Wayne, NJ dental office Dr. Maldonado prefers dental implants as the permanent solution to one or more missing teeth.
2. Dental Bridges
A dental bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device which fills in the gap where teeth are missing. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional.
- Removable bridges can be taken out and cleaned.
- Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.
Fixed dental bridges are usually cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth – hence the name “bridge.” It is at that point a dental crown is attached onto the natural teeth, thus providing support for the bridge.
3. Dental Implants
Dental implants provide a permanent foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. This is why implants are often considered the most desirable, permanent solution to missing one or more teeth.
The dental implant itself is fastened to natural jaw structure by tiny titanium posts which are surgically anchored into the jawbone. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth affording a healthier more comfortable lifelong treatment solution to tooth loss.
Also, where dentures can actually accelerate deterioration of jawbone structure, dental implants can help preserve facial structure by preventing the bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing altogether.
Dental implants restore your ability to chew any and all foods as well as restore confidence in your smile.
Here at Wayne Dental Arts, we perform both the surgical and restorative aspects of implant dentistry. What this means to patients is that there aren’t having to visit multiple doctors for each treatment phase.
- 3D CT Imaging
- Dental Implant Surgery
- Bone Grafting (addition of bone where your natural bone is deficient – if needed)
- Dental Implant Restoration
Dental implants change the way people with missing teeth live!
People rediscover the joys of smiling more, feeling better about themselves, and eating their favorite foods that sometimes those with dental bridges or dentures can’t.
Wayne NJ Dental Implants: Get a FREE 2nd Opinion Consultation at Wayne Dental Arts
Take advantage of a FREE 2nd Opinion Consultation today. If you are missing one or more teeth, see if dental implants are the permanent solution for you.
A new beautiful smile is just a phone call away…schedule your appointment today at (973) 694-8625!
Compassionate Care. Modern Technology. Exceptional Results.
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wayneda
on Aug 2nd, 2016
10:17 am
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Tags: bone-grafting, dental bridges, dental implant restoration, dental implants, dentures, missing teeth, sedation, tooth loss
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