If you have one or more missing teeth, there are several ways to replace them. Which method you choose depends on your situation and the condition of your remaining teeth and jawbone.
You will be given medicine that numbs the area being worked on. You may also be offered sedation or general anesthesia.
Dental implants
Dental implants are a stable, durable tooth replacement montgomery al option for missing teeth. They look and feel like natural teeth and promote bone preservation, helping maintain facial structure. They also make it easier to eat and speak, improving quality of life. Dental implant failure is rare, especially when the patient follows their oral surgeon and dentist’s instructions for post-implant care.
During treatment, the surgeon creates an incision in your gums to expose the bone underneath and then places the dental implant. The abutment is then attached to the implant, and the dental crown is either screwed or cemented onto the abutment.
Dental implants can replace single missing teeth, multiple missing teeth, or all of your teeth. They are a long-term solution that requires proper hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.
Dental bridges
Dental bridges can be used to replace one or more missing teeth and improve the appearance of your smile. They can also restore the function of your bite and help distribute the forces of chewing in a way that is closer to how they were before you lost your teeth.
Traditional fixed bridges use dental crowns on adjacent natural teeth to support a pontic tooth (fake tooth) between them. If you are considering dental bridges, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums in a consultation to make sure that this restoration is a good fit for your treatment goals.
The first appointment will involve preparing the abutment tooth replacement montgomery al a portion of their enamel and dentin. Then, impressions of the abutment teeth will be taken to ensure that the bridge is constructed to match the opposing tooth precisely. This is an important step in ensuring correct bite and aesthetics, and it may take two or three appointments.
Removable dentures
Removable dentures can replace missing teeth and help you speak, eat and smile normally again. They can also give support to the facial skeleton and soft tissues of the lips and cheeks, creating a more youthful appearance.
Removable full dentures can be “conventional” or “immediate.” An immediate denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining natural teeth are removed. Conventional dentures are made after the gum tissue has healed, usually a few months later.
Your dentist will make impressions (moulds) and measurements of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You’ll then try on a model in wax or plastic to assess the look and fit of the new dentures. Then, at a final appointment, the permanent dentures will be crafted in acrylic resin to your exact specifications. They’re also easy to clean, with brushes designed specifically for dentures that reach every nook and cranny. But be careful not to bend clasps or metal attachments, as they can weaken and damage your dentures.
Fixed bridges
A fixed bridge attaches artificial teeth to natural supporting teeth called abutments. It can be an excellent alternative to implants for people who have adequate bone in the area where they need tooth replacement but cannot afford the higher cost of an implant.
Typically, a traditional fixed bridge requires two crowns to cover healthy abutment teeth on either side of the missing tooth and one pontic (artificial tooth) in between them to fill in the gap. It is also possible to use a cantilever bridge when there are no healthy abutment teeth on one side of the missing tooth.
A fixed bridge can improve the look of a smile and prevent teeth from shifting toward the empty space, preserving the alignment of the bite. It can also make it easier to eat and speak normally. It is important to maintain proper oral health care to extend the life of a dental bridge. Our laboratory technicians will fabricate your bridge to provide the best fit, comfort and appearance.
