Tooth loss is a very serious oral health concern, one that can weaken your jaw and lead to major complications. But our team has the experience and treatments to replace missing teeth, whether you have a single lost tooth or have lost all of them. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about our approach to prosthetic dentistry.
The Factors Behind Tooth Loss
First, let’s look at the causes of tooth loss. We could lose natural teeth due to an untreated cavity or infection, which could require extraction to prevent the spread of infection in severe cases. An accident or facial injury could also lead to missing teeth. Periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease, is also a very common cause of adult tooth loss. As part of your tooth replacement process, we will assess the cause and severity of your tooth loss, so we know the best replacement options to recommend for your smile.
The Impact on Your Oral Health
How does losing a tooth impact your smile? When you lose one or more teeth, this leaves behind gaps that can make you feel embarrassed. These gaps could also allow teeth to drift from position, causing misalignment and with it, an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The strain on your jaw joints due to the imbalance caused by missing teeth could lead to TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You could find yourself limited in your meal options, and clear speech could be difficult too! As the body stops sending doses of calcium and phosphorus to the jaw around the missing roots, this could lead to a breakdown in the jaw linked to further tooth loss and even an aged appearance. Don’t let these issues impact your smile, talk to our team about prosthetic dentistry.
Planning Your Tooth Replacement
To get started, our team will take a close look at your smile using digital imaging systems, such as digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. We want to assess the factors behind your tooth loss, in case we need to manage issues like gum disease before we move forward with replacement. We want to assess the extent of your tooth loss too, so we know which option to recommend. Every smile is different, so we always take a personalized approach to tooth replacement. With prosthetic dentistry, we create bridges and dentures that look and function like natural teeth!
Dental Bridges
If you have a more minor case of tooth loss, such as one to three lost teeth in a row, then we could offer a non-surgical tooth replacement option with dental bridges. These are designed to address minor tooth loss and can last as long as 15 years in some cases. The prosthetic will contain new teeth with crowns on each end. The bridge is made from ceramic, which can handle daily bite forces and be color matched to blend with your smile.
To begin the process, we will numb the abutment teeth, the ones on each side of the gap, and then remove structure from them. Once we do, then our team will take detailed digital images and measurements of the gap and prepared teeth from multiple angles. We then design and craft your custom bridge, and when it’s ready, we will attach the crown portions to the abutment teeth to secure your new teeth in place!
Partial Dentures
What about partial dentures? If you have tooth loss with multiple gaps spread out across your smile, this could be too severe to be tackled with a bridge. But you still have enough natural teeth in place that a full denture isn’t necessary either. With a partial, we have an option that will provide new teeth to fit in between these gaps. The partial is custom-made based on the digital images and measurements we take of your smile. The denture contains new teeth set in an acrylic base, one that looks like gum tissue. The denture will be held in place with metal clasps that attach to naturalteeth. But don’t worry, these clasps are invisible when your new teeth are in! On average, your partial will last about 5 to 10 years before replacement is necessary, and you will need to soak and clean them periodically.
Full Dentures
What if you have lost most or all of your teeth? With prosthetic dentistry, we can offer a full set of dentures to replace every tooth on one or both arches. To begin, our team will examine your smile and find out if we need to extract any remaining teeth. If so, we can conduct a tooth extraction gently and comfortably, and then take detailed images of the bite to design and craft your new teeth. The denture will contain a full row of lifelike ceramic teeth set in an acrylic base. Suction or the use of special adhesives will keep them in place, and you will need to soak and clean them regularly. As with partials, they tend to last about 5 to 10 years.
Dental Implants
Our approach to prosthetic dentistry can also include an option that looks and functions like natural teeth, and that has the potential to last for decades, possibly a lifetime! With dental implants, we will insert new roots in the form of biocompatible titanium implants. They bond with the jaw and act like natural roots. We can use one to address a single missing tooth, or employ several to support a bridge or even a fixed set of dentures, which never slip and last longer than traditional removable options. With dental implants, we can offer the most lifelike form of replacement teeth possible.
If you have any questions about prosthetic dentistry, or if you want to schedule a visit, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Any Questions About Prosthetic Dentistry?
The team at Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, want to offer dental prosthetics to ensure smiles stay full and beautiful for years to come. To schedule an appointment with our team, call us today at 972-262-5111.
