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Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat your favorite foods or smile with confidence. It can also lead to bone loss in the jaw, contribute to further tooth loss, and affect the shape of your face. For these reasons, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with our dentist in South Bend, IN. He’ll help you explore your tooth replacement options so you can start smiling with confidence again as soon as possible.
In the meantime, here are the top procedures for replacing missing teeth.
1. Dental Bridge
Dr. Gasko may recommend a dental bridge if you have one missing tooth that’s adjacent to natural teeth or implants. A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that’s held in place by crowns on both sides. These crowns are placed over dental implants or natural teeth that have been filed down and shaped in preparation for the procedure.
The takes two visits to our office. During your first appointment, Dr. Gasko will file down and shape the teeth that will receive the dental crowns. (This step will not be necessary for implant-supported bridges.) Next, we’ll take dental impressions to send to the laboratory that will be making your new dental crown.
When you return for your second visit, your new dental bridge will be ready. Dr. Gasko will ensure that it’s the right size, shape, and shade so it blends in with the rest of your smile. Once Dr. Gasko is sure that the fit is perfect, he’ll cement the bridge in place and check your bite.
2. Dentures
A denture is a removable oral appliance that includes prosthetic teeth on a pink acrylic base that matches your gums. Depending on the extent of tooth loss, Dr. Gasko may recommend either partial or full dentures. While a replaces one or several teeth, a full denture replaces the entire upper and/or lower arch of teeth.
Dentures are a great option for replacing missing teeth. However, even the best-fitting dentures will slip from time to time when you make an abrupt movement. When this happens, we recommend that you gently bite down and swallow to discreetly shift your dentures back in place.
3. Dental Implants
In general, dental implants tend to be the best option for tooth replacement. This is because they replace your crown above the gum line, as well as the natural tooth root that exerts pressure on the jawbone.
As soon as you lose a tooth, your body will start to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere. If left untreated, jawbone deterioration will lead to a condition called facial collapse. Facial collapse can make it difficult or uncomfortable to wear dentures. It can also alter your profile so it appears more sunken.
Dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. This means that you’ll never have to worry about your prosthetic teeth slipping while you try to eat, talk, smile, or laugh. Instead, the dental implant procedure gives you the confidence to show off your smile and live life to the fullest.
When Should I Replace Missing Teeth?
Ideally, it’s best to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the less likely you’ll experience complications caused by long-term tooth loss. For example, once you lose a tooth, you’ll start to lose bone density in the jaw around the empty socket.
The good news is that dental implant treatment can stop bone loss in its tracks. Not only does this help stabilize any remaining teeth in your smile, but it also helps preserve your natural face shape over time.
Out of the tooth replacement options we discussed in this blog post, only dental implants have the power to stop jawbone deterioration. This makes dental implant surgery popular and highly sought after by patients.
Book a Consultation for Tooth Replacement
Dr. Michael Gasko is an experienced dentist in South Bend, IN, who’s accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment and learn more about your tooth replacement options, please call Select Dental Associates at (574) 232-8888. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
