Mind the Gaps: Treatment Options for Missing Teeth
Whenever you are missing teeth, the ideal treatment option for you and your needs is determined by the nature of your tooth loss and the number of teeth that are missing. Your dentist will carefully tailor the restorative treatment to your needs.
Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen always takes great care when addressing tooth loss. His patients in the greater Fountain Valley area know that he offers advanced restorative dentistry to replace missing teeth, emphasizing total wellness as well as aesthetics. Let's consider the various options for tooth replacement right now.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges will help bridge the gap between teeth. A bridge consists of a false tooth or a few false teeth. They are held in place by latching around the remaining natural tooth structure adjacent to the tooth gap.
Crown-Supported Dental Bridges
While the above bridges are removable, there is another option for your bridge to remain fixed in place. This involves the use of crown-supported bridges. With a crown-supported bridge, there is a dental crown on either side of the bridge. This crown caps a tooth adjacent to the tooth gap, bracing around that tooth to help keep the connected bridge stable.
Partial Dentures
When a patient is missing multiple teeth in a row but does not have sufficient tooth structure remaining for a bridge to be effective, a partial denture is used. Rather than latching around tooth structure, a partial denture is held in place by bracing around the jawbone and gum structure of the dental arch. Denture creams may be used to improve the overall grip of a denture when in place.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are used when a person is missing most or all of their teeth. Like partial dentures, full dentures brace around the structure of the dental arch and their stability may be augmented with denture adhesive creams.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into a tooth gap. The implants fuse with the jawbone and gum tissue, making them just as stable as natural tooth roots. Thanks to dental implants, bridges, dentures, and even individual dental crowns can be snapped into place, will very little chance of the implant restoration slipping or coming loose. The number and type of dental implants to be used in your case will need to be determined in the consultation process.
Additional Considerations for Implant Dentistry
For patients to receive dental implants, they need to have sufficient jawbone and gum tissue in place. Since missing teeth can result in bone loss and gum recession, patients may need to undergo additional grating surgeries before they receive dental implants. These procedures (i.e., bone grafting, soft tissue augmentation) will add the necessary hard or soft tissues so that an implant can be anchored into place at a later time.
Learn More About Restorative Dentistry Treatments
To learn more about treatments for missing teeth and how our team can help you have a healthy and beautiful smile, be sure to schedule a consultation for restorative dental care. Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen and his team will work with you to ensure your smile is its very best.
