THE SCIENCE OF REPLACING MISSING TEETH
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVE TOOTH LOSS every year because of trauma, heredity, gum disease, and tooth decay. Nearly one in five adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth. As a prosthodontic specialist in Irving, TX, we specialize in restoring and replacing damaged or missing teeth.
All dentists know that even the loss of one tooth affects your other teeth, your jaw, and eventually your overall health. Missing teeth can destabilize your other teeth, which can start to drift, tip into the leftover gaps, and maybe even fall out.
And not only that, but missing teeth can severely impact an individual’s self-confidence, job prospects, love life, and ability to chew correctly. Loose and ill-fitting bridges or dentures can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Implant dentistry is a durable and long-term solution for replacing missing teeth or stabilizing new or existing dentures. Dental implants have been the gold standard for over 40 years, and with proper care and oral hygiene, they can last a lifetime.
Retana’s prosthodontics in Irving, Texas, is board certified to replace missing teeth thanks to extensive training using state-of-the-art technology and procedures. Prosthodontists are highly trained restorative dentists. It would be best if you always chose a specialist when it comes to your smile.
Read below to learn more about the different types of prosthodontics:
Bridges – Bridges are fixed into the mouth and are an excellent way to replace a few teeth that are missing in a row. Traditionally, bridges are fixed in place by attaching them to neighboring healthy teeth. Bridges can often be made of precious metals to make them more robust. If the crowns are visible, they are covered with porcelain to make them look like natural teeth.
Modern bridges can also be fixed to dental implants. Bridges can last 5-15 years, depending on how well you take care of them.
Dentures – Dentures have been around for a couple of thousand years and are easily removable replacements for missing teeth. They are made of either acrylic or porcelain for the crowns and look more lifelike than ever before. Dentures rely on suction to the gums for support for chewing.
Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. Dentures are easier to clean because the crowns are attached to a removable structure.
Dental implants – Dental implants are the only way to replace the roots of lost teeth. Small titanium posts are placed into the jawbone onto which we can attach a single tooth or several teeth. They can replace dentures, or they can be used to stabilize dentures. Dental implants can last a lifetime.
For the best dental health, we recommend that you don’t leave gaps for very long. Come in for a consultation, and we can work out which prosthodontics will suit you best. We can create an optimal oral health plan uniquely for you, including dental implants, dentures, and bridges.
