RECONSTRUCTIVE DENTISTRY

CROWN AND BRIDGE

Dental bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. Your existing teeth are used to literally create a bridge to cross the area where your tooth is missing. Bridges are made from gold, metal, alloys, or porcelain to ensure that they are strong and durable.

The process of creating a bridge begins by creating abutments out of your existing teeth where the bridge will be attached. The existing teeth are recontoured to provide a base for the bridge. After the abutments have been created, a mold is taken of the area which is sent to a dental lab. The lab is able to use the mold to create a bridge that will fit properly and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. The bridge consists of two crowns on either end to place on the abutments and a pontic, which is the new tooth that replaces your missing tooth.

We will fit you with a temporary bridge while we wait for the lab to craft your permanent bridge. This will protect the abutments and the exposed gum areas and look more appealing than having a missing tooth. When the permanent bridge has been created, you will have a follow up visit to set the bridge. It will be placed on the abutments and your dentist will then use an adhesive to make sure that the bridge is set.

The bridge may take a little while to get used to, but after a few days it should feel like you have your own teeth back again. You should eat soft foods for the first few days after having your bridge placed. After the initial phase, you will be able to eat whatever you want with no issues.

If you are missing a tooth you should strongly consider having it replaced. Besides the aesthetic disadvantage of missing a tooth, it could also cause structural changes to your mouth and jaw, as well as making it difficult to eat or speak properly. Set up an appointment today to restore your smile.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Despite improvements in dental care, millions of Americans suffer tooth loss -- mostly due to tooth decay, gingivitis (gum disease), or injury. For many years, the only treatment options available for people with missing teeth were bridges and dentures. But, today, dental implants are available.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth. The goal of replacement of teeth is to restore function and/or esthetics.

A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with the bone over time. The dental implant acts as a replacement for the root of a missing tooth. Having a dental implant fused to the jawbone is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth because it stands on its own without affecting the adjacent teeth and has great stability. The process of fusion between the dental implant and bone is called "osseointegration."

Most dental implants are made of titanium which allows them to integrate with bone without being recognized as a foreign object in our body. Over time, technology and science have progressed to greatly improve the outcomes of dental implant placement. Today, the success rate for dental implants is close to 98%.

The final prosthetic can be either fixed, where a person cannot remove the denture or teeth from their mouth, or removable, where they can remove the prosthetic.

To determine if implants are right for you, a consultation with our doctors is needed. During this appointment, we will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums and evaluate bone density and quantity. This may involve X-rays and computer tomography scans (CT scans) to ensure there is sufficient bone structure for placing the implant(s), and to determine exactly where the implant should be placed.

Depending on your situation, we will advise you of how long the entire treatment process will take, how many appointments will be necessary and what you can expect after each procedure.

Call our office today to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

DENTURE / PARTIAL DENTURES

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health.

Two types of dentures are available -- complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing and they cover your entire upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures are used when replacing one or more teeth, while some natural teeth remain.

Advances in dentistry have made many improvements in dentures. They are more natural looking and comfortable than they used to be. But they still may feel strange at first. In the beginning, we may want to see you often to make sure the dentures fit. Over time, your mouth will change and may need to be adjusted or replaced. Be sure to let us handle these adjustments.

Even though dentures are not real teeth, you should care for them like they are. You should brush them to remove plaque and food particles before removing your dentures. After they have been removed you should place them directly into room temperature water, or a denture cleaning solution. Never use hot water because it could warp the dentures. Your dentures are delicate, so make sure you are careful when handling them so you don't drop them. Also, never try to adjust your dentures yourself. You could ruin them, so you should always let us know if they feel uncomfortable or loose.

IMPLANT OVERDENTURES WITH OR WITHOUT BARS

Millions of people around the world are missing enough teeth to require the use of a denture. Many of them struggle to keep their dentures secure, particularly in the lower jaw. If you have this problem, you already know about the embarrassment of slipping dentures, not being able to eat the foods that you love and the ineffectiveness of denture adhesives. Fortunately, there is a way to make your denture work the way it was intended: stabilize it with dental implants.

An implant overdenture is a denture that fits over dental implants that have been placed in your mouth with the purpose of increasing retention, function and improving speech.

There are several types of Overdentures options and they are determined depending on the amount of implant placed and needs of the patient:

Dental implant-stabilized overdenture: The two-implant overdenture for the lower jaw is a simple and effective solution. If all your lower teeth are missing, another option may be to stabilize your removable denture using a small number of implants. This can sometimes be a cost-effective solution. After healing, abutment posts are attached to the implants. Your current denture can sometimes be modified, or a new denture can be created. The modified denture is snapped into place, where it is retained by the dental implants and supported by the soft tissue. You simply snap the denture out each night for cleaning
Removable dental implant–supported overdenture: Bar Overdenture distributes occlusal loads more evenly across four or more implants, making it ideal for patients with a heavy bite or when the implants have been placed in softer bone. If all your upper or lower teeth are missing, multiple dental implants may be used to support a denture that can be removed by the patient for cleaning. You will be fitted for a custom-made bar that attaches to the dental implants to support a new overdenture. Your existing denture may be modified to be worn during this period.The new overdenture will have attachments which snap or clip it into place. Your new teeth are firmly supported by the implants to stimulate the jaw and maintain bone. You will be able to remove the denture easily for cleaning.
Fixed dental implant supported overdenture: If all your upper or lower teeth are missing, a custom-made denture may be secured using dental implants. The number of implants will vary for each patient. You will be fitted for a custom overdenture that attaches directly to the implants. The holes in the overdenture will be covered after attachment. Your new teeth are firmly supported by the implants to stimulate the jaw and maintain bone. Your dentist can remove the denture when needed for maintenance and cleaning.