Millions of people around the world suffer from missing teeth. The problem impacts the beauty of a smile and can also impact oral health.
When you lose a tooth, the jaw no longer receives stimulation from the root. This can lead to bone loss and the shifting of surrounding teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most advanced restorative solution for missing teeth Birmingham MI. They can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even an entire arch of teeth to restore both the look and function of your smile. They also help to prevent further bone deterioration and protect you from the health issues that arise when tooth loss goes untreated.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post that acts as the new root of your tooth. It is surgically placed into your jawbone, where it fuses with the surrounding bone through a process known as osseointegration. The implant won’t slip or make noise like dentures and is designed to last a lifetime.
To place an implant, your dentist will create a space in the gum tissue by cutting away the area around the missing tooth. They may use sutures that will dissolve or be removed during future follow-up visits. During recovery, patients should stick to soft foods and avoid chewy or crunchy items that could disrupt the healing process.
Implants are also available to replace a full arch of missing teeth, which typically requires eight or more implants. These are a bit more complex than replacing just one tooth because the abutments (support posts) must be made separately for each replacement tooth. A sinus graft may also be necessary to add height and strength to the jawbone where the implants will be placed, especially in the upper back of the mouth.
Dentures
Dentures are traditional tooth replacements that can be either full or partial. They are comprised of a metal framework that holds the false teeth in place and plastic that is flesh-colored or pink to match the gum tissue. This provides a natural appearance.
They offer an immediate solution to missing teeth Birmingham MI and can be a good choice for patients who don’t want or cannot afford the cost of dental implants. However, because they aren’t anchored to the jawbone, they can sometimes slip or shift during chewing and speaking.
Another disadvantage of conventional dentures is that they can lead to bone loss in the jaw, which can impact your smile and oral health. As you lose bone density in your jaw, the remaining natural teeth experience excessive stress and wear and tear, which can ultimately lead to their premature loss.
For this reason, if you have dentures, it is important to carefully choose the foods you eat. Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can cause them to move or come loose. Eating with dentures will take some practice, but over time you should be able to return to your normal eating habits. In the meantime, we recommend using a dental fixative to keep your dentures in place while you’re not eating or drinking.
Bridges
As its name suggests, a dental bridge fills the gap caused by one or more missing teeth. It consists of two or more artificial teeth, known as pontics, which are attached to natural teeth on either side via abutments, or crowns. The dentist first numbs the area of the mouth in which a bridge will be placed to ensure the patient remains comfortable throughout treatment. The abutment teeth are then filed down to allow room for the crown portion of the bridge, which is then fabricated in a dental lab. The bridge is then anchored to the abutment teeth using cement.
A dental bridge not only restores a patient’s smile by filling in the empty spaces, but it also helps prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting. This is an important consideration since gaps can cause chewing problems and affect the shape of the jaw and face. Additionally, patients with missing teeth Birmingham MI are at an increased risk of gum disease and bone loss.
Dental bridges can last a long time if they are properly cared for, which includes regular dental exams and good oral hygiene habits. The metro Detroit office of Birmingham Dental Care offers comprehensive restorative dentistry to address all tooth replacement needs and concerns, including dental bridges. The practice’s emphasis on patient education is also a major selling point, with the team taking the time to explain each procedure in detail so patients can make informed decisions about their treatment options.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Missing teeth Birmingham MI can affect your confidence and quality of life, but a dentist can help you replace them in a way that looks natural. A dental implant in Birmingham MI will restore the appearance of your smile and improve your ability to chew and speak. Dental implants are also a permanent solution that helps prevent bone loss in the jaw. If you are missing one or more teeth, a dentist can replace them with dentures or dental implants near Troy.
A cosmetic dentist is a specialist who uses procedures like veneers and tooth whitening to correct the appearance of your teeth and smile. They can lighten discolored teeth, repair chipped or cracked teeth, and close spaces in between your teeth. They can even make your teeth appear straighter and more evenly sized.
The cosmetic dentists at Birmingham Dental are experts in their field, and they are committed to providing the best dental care for their patients. They use modern technology paired with gentle and personalized care to ensure your comfort. They offer a wide range of cosmetic treatments, including whitening, veneers, and Invisalign.
Most purely cosmetic procedures aren’t covered by insurance, but they can cover some functional treatments like crowns and implants. Talk to your insurance provider about the coverage you can expect. You can also contact the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) to find out more about how you can get the smile you have always wanted.
Sign in to leave a comment.