With the many advances in the field of restorative dentistry that have been made over the years, there are now more options than ever to replace missing teeth with excellent results. It’s important to remember that even just a single missing tooth anywhere in the mouth can be problematic. In addition to their effect on the appearance of your smile, missing teeth can create general oral health concerns and diminish the ability to properly chew and speak. The good news is, Dr. Uyen Thompson and her team at Thompson Center for Dentistry offer a comprehensive array of teeth replacement options that can provide patients with results that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Options available at our practice include:
Dental Implants
A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root that is designed to fuse to the jawbone, allowing it to become a permanent part of the mouth. A custom dental crown is placed on top of the implant, resulting in a new tooth that is virtually identical to a natural tooth in both form and function.
Implant Dentures
Implant dentures utilize a select number of dental implants to provide a strong foundation for a custom denture. This option can be advantageous for individuals who are missing most or all of their teeth. By attaching a denture to dental implants, patients can achieve more stable and secure teeth restoration without the need for putties or other adhesives to prevent the denture from slipping along the gums.
Complete and Partial Dentures
A complete set of dentures can be an ideal alternative for patients missing all of their teeth, and a partial set of dentures can help those who are missing a certain number of teeth in a specific area. Complete and partial dentures are customized for each patient’s needs to provide results that fit comfortably and look natural.
Dental Bridge
For individuals with a large gap caused by one or more missing teeth between two healthy teeth, a dental bridge may be a good replacement option. Dental bridges are composed of artificial teeth reinforced by custom dental crowns on both sides of the gap, quite literally “bridging” the distance created by the missing teeth and providing results that look like natural teeth.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information on effective ways to replace missing teeth and restore your smile!