Throughout childhood, losing teeth isn’t usually a cause for concern. In fact, it’s often a cause for celebration. But can be a stressful situation. Our West Michigan dentists are here to help you navigate this time in your life.
Oftentimes, adult tooth loss is the result of an underlying oral health issue, like tooth decay, or some kind of traumatic accident, like a sports injury. If this is you, your best course of action is to talk to our team about replacing missing teeth.
Here are 3 tooth replacement options that we offer at MI Smiles Dental.
1. Dental Implants
Dental implants are the best option for people who need strong and permanent tooth replacement. These metal posts, usually made of titanium, are embedded directly into your jawbone by our local dental implant dentists and are designed to mimic natural tooth roots. It can take a few months after dental implant surgery for the post to fuse completely with the bone (a process known as osseointegration), but once it has, we’ll then top the implant with a crown to complete your smile.
Although the entire process involved in getting a dental implant is lengthy, it’s also one of the most durable options when it comes to . Many single-tooth implants, with proper daily care, can last a lifetime. It’s also the only option that doesn’t require the removal of natural enamel from surrounding teeth, which is a better option for your oral health over time.
2. Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are great for patients who have completely lost a tooth, but their surrounding teeth are still healthy and strong.
A dental bridge places an artificial tooth (pontic) in your gap and anchors it onto the teeth that are on either side of it. The artificial tooth is attached to two crowns that will be placed onto the teeth adjacent to your gap. This way, you get the functionality of a new tooth without having to install an implant into your jawbone.
Dental bridges can help get rid of:
- Bite problems (how your teeth come together)
- Chewing difficulties
- Discomfort and pain associated with the extra stress being put on your teeth and jaw
- Feelings of self-consciousness with regards to your smile
If you like the idea of a permanent dental bridge and are not adverse to oral surgery, our dentists can recommend an implant-supported bridge. The main difference would be that instead of placing crowns on adjacent natural teeth, we would place crowns on implant posts. The general structure of the restoration would be fairly similar otherwise.
3. Dental Crowns
When you’ve only lost part of your tooth, dental crowns are the best option. Crowns don’t technically replace teeth; they simply cover the entire visible portion above the gumline like a cap.
If your tooth has been chipped or cracked, a new dental crown can easily fit on top of it and restore the functionality of that tooth. Crowns are also great options if your tooth is still intact but fragile, such as a tooth with a large filling.
It’s important to make sure your custom dental crown fits snugly onto your existing tooth. That’s why our dentists will first remove some enamel from your tooth so the crown can fit without feeling overly large or bulky.
Our dentists will take impressions of your tooth to send to a dental lab so your crown can be fabricated. At your second appointment, dental crown placement will occur and we’ll make sure the restoration matches the rest of your teeth in size, shape, and color.
Dental crowns can be useful:
- Post root canal treatment
- For broken or severely worn tooth
- When completing a dental bridge or dental implant
What If I Need Multiple Teeth Replaced?
If you need multiple teeth replaced such as an entire upper or lower arch, you may want to consider removable dentures. Our dentists recommend full dentures when all teeth or least an arch is missing and partial dentures when only a few teeth are gone. Implant-supported dentures are also an option if you’d prefer extra support and something non-removable.
Our dentists will be sure to speak with you about what is best for your oral health. All of our patients are different and what works for one may not work for another. A big part of the decision is finding what you’re most comfortable having for yourself.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Our dentists serving West Michigan can help you determine whether crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures are right for you. To learn more about your options and schedule an appointment, call one of our MI Smiles Dental locations today.
This blog post has been updated.
