Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can impact your confidence and make daily activities like speaking and eating challenging and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are several restorations to replace your missing teeth to restore functionality and a healthy smile.
Explore the benefits, procedures, and eligibility requirements of these popular tooth replacement options to determine your smile’s appropriate tooth replacement method.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent, natural-looking tooth replacement solution that can improve the appearance of your smile and restore your ability to chew and talk without discomfort. Dental implant surgery also preserves the health of your gums and jawbone and keeps your adjacent teeth stable.
Dental implants are inserted directly into your jaw, making them an extremely durable and long-lasting tooth replacement option. The implant process generally takes between three and nine months. It includes placing the implant post in your jawbone, osseointegration (fusion of your jawbone with the implant), and attaching an abutment and dental crown to the post.
Dental implants leave you with a fully functional and restored smile once the procedure is complete.
Candidates for dental implants have healthy gums and a dense enough jawbone to secure the implant, so those with periodontal disease and gum degradation may be ineligible for implants with bone augmentation surgery.
Heavy tobacco users and those with systemic diseases like diabetes may be at increased risk of infection after the procedure. Contact Smile On Chicago Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center to arrange a dental implant consultation and learn if you are a candidate for this innovative restoration.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a popular method for filling gaps in your smile. At Smile On Chicago Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center, we offer four types of dental bridges: traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported.
A dental bridge can improve your bite by keeping your remaining teeth from shifting into the space left by your missing tooth. Bridges also restore your ability to chew and speak regularly. With good oral hygiene and routine dental check-ups, your bridge can last over ten years.
To be considered a good candidate for a dental bridge, the teeth surrounding your missing teeth must be healthy and have strong roots.
You may be required to wear a temporary bridge while the lab creates your permanent bridge, crowns, and false teeth.
Dentures
People missing multiple teeth and those with loose or painful teeth may benefit from wearing dentures. Removable dentures are artificial teeth that look natural and fit in your mouth on top of your gums.
Smile On Chicago Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center offers natural-looking full or partial dentures. We can also customize special dentures incorporating dental implants that help maintain jawbone health. Please reach out to our office to learn the benefits of implant-retained dentures.
Smile On Chicago Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center for Missing Teeth
Replacing a missing tooth can significantly improve your dental health and overall quality of life. If you’ve lost a tooth, it’s best to replace it as soon as possible to avoid complications like bone loss and defective speech.Book an appointment online or call us at (733) 525-5545 (Chicago) or (224) 282-8939 (Deerfield) to learn how we can rejuvenate your smile.