There are a handful of treatments that can be used to restore a person's missing teeth during a smile makeover. Smile makeovers are performed to improve the way that a patient's teeth look. It aims to tackle all the aesthetic issues that are visible when the person smiles.
Here are some of the ways a dentist can replace your missing teeth during a smile makeover:
Dentures are typically the cheapest way to replace missing teeth. There are partial dentures for people who have only lost some of their teeth, and full dentures for those who have lost most of their teeth.
Dentures come with a framework that rests on the wearer's gum. Artificial teeth are attached to this framework, and these replace the teeth the patient has lost. Wearing dentures allows the wearer to eat a wider range of food and speak more clearly.
The main drawback that comes with dentures is the fact that these oral prosthetics tend to shift while being worn. It can lead to the formation of sores on the soft tissues in the mouth or the dentures falling out.
Just as their name suggests, bridges close the gap created by missing teeth. These oral prosthetics are often recommended when a person has multiple missing teeth right next to each other. The bridge is often connected to the two teeth closest to both sides of the gap. These are called abutments as they serve as anchors for the bridge. It is standard to cover them up with crowns to provide extra support for the bridge.
The set of artificial teeth — called pontics — are connected to the abutments to restore the appearance or function of lost teeth.
Implants are the only way to replace missing teeth that preserves the patient's jawbone tissue. The implant is surgically placed in the patient's jaw and left there for osseointegration to take place. This is the process of the implant fusing with bone tissues to become part of the person's jaw.
Once osseointegration is complete, a restoration like a crown can be attached to the implant. Whenever the person bites down on something, bite forces are transferred through the implant to the patient's jaw. This keeps the bone tissue healthy and prevents it from breaking down as is normally the case when a person loses a tooth.
The installation of implants requires patients to be healthy enough for oral surgery. Patients should also be willing to give up habits like smoking and drinking, at least for a while.
Implants are often combined with restorations like dentures when a patient is missing most of their teeth. This eliminates the shifting that takes place with dentures and helps to preserve the person's bone tissue. It is a great way to get maximum value from implants.
Call our Mountain View clinic if you have missing teeth that need to be replaced. We can go over all the treatment options available to you and help you make the right choice for you.
Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.
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