Maybe you’re tired of having a gap or two in your smile after having to get teeth pulled due to decay or injury. Or perhaps you’ve had dentures for a while now, but have gotten sick of them always slipping and sliding around when you’re just trying to live your life. Whatever the case may be, dental implants can help. These biocompatible titanium posts perfectly mimic the roots of your lost teeth. They are then topped with a prosthetic tooth or teeth so lifelike that no one but your implant dentist will be able to tell they’re not your natural pearly whites! In today’s post, we go into a little more detail on how exactly implants can help you, no matter how big the gap in your grin.
Missing a Single Tooth
Many people choose to replace a single missing tooth with a dental bridge. Unfortunately, bridgework requires that the remaining teeth on either side of your gap be filed down to accommodate dental crowns. On the bright side, none of your natural teeth need to be altered to place a dental implant. Your implant dentist can simply place a single implant in the space in your mouth and top it with a realistic dental crown.
Missing Several Teeth
Normally, if someone is missing multiple teeth, they elect to replace them with a bridge or partial denture. However, these options don’t address the root of the problem: the jawbone loss that comes with not replacing the roots of lost teeth. Your dentist has a solution for this. They can place an implant on either end of the gap in your grin with as many artificial teeth in between the fill the space.
Missing All Your Teeth
If you’re missing all your teeth and are fed up with your denture moving out of place, it might be time to consider implant-retained dentures. By placing two to six implants throughout your jawbone, your dentist can provide enough support for a full or partial denture. This prosthesis can then be permanent or removable, depending on your personal preference. Implant-retained dentures stimulate your jawbone, preventing the bone deterioration that comes as a result of prolonged, advanced tooth loss.
No matter how many teeth you’re missing, there is a way that dental implants can help. If you’re sick of having gaps in your grin, ask your implant dentist about your options today!
About the Author
Dr. Christine Laster obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in 2000. She maintains active memberships in many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the American Association of Women Dentists, and the North Carolina Dental Society. Today, she treats all of her Raleigh patients with kindness and a gentle touch. She partners with only the best oral surgeons to place and restore dental implants. To learn more, visit Dr. Laster’s website.