You’re going through the grocery store and casually walk through the produce section…for the third time. You always make sure to pass the apples and linger a bit. You can’t remember the last time you were actually able to eat one. Your missing teeth have made it difficult to eat a lot of things, and it was a sad day when it became too much of a task to eat an apple. On this particular day, you decide it’s finally time to do something about it. The only question is, what should you use to replace your missing teeth? There are a few options out there, but which one is best for you? Drs. Jane, Peck, and Tregre want you know all about crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants in Deer Park.
Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and bridges have been used for decades to fix broken and missing teeth. Crowns are typically used to restore a single damaged tooth. The restoration, made of metal or porcelain, simply slips over the tooth that needs repair, reinforcing its structure and improving its appearance. These crowns can then be used to support a row of prosthetic teeth, creating a dental bridge. These prosthetic teeth simply sit on top of the gums and look just like real teeth. They are one of the quickest and easiest ways to fill in the gaps in your smile.
Dentures
For patients who have had extensive tooth loss, a set of partial or full dentures in Deer Park could be their solution. We use a series of scans, photos, and x-rays of your mouth and jaw to ensure that you get dentures with the best possible look and feel. Dentures have been shown to dramatically increase a patient’s ability to eat a variety of healthy foods, therefore prolonging their life. They are typically held in place either with natural suction, denture adhesive, or simply snap onto your remaining teeth.
Dental Implants
By far, the most complete way to replace your missing teeth is with dental implants. They are the one procedure that can restore an entire tooth: root to crown. They can even be used to replace multiple teeth, as they can support a bridge or anchor a set of dentures.
What makes implants different is the use of a titanium root. Rather than sitting on top of the gums and augmenting your remaining dental structure, dental implants can actually recreate a tooth from below the gum-line. The small titanium post is surgically implanted into your jaw. This not only provides a strong and secure base for your new tooth (or bridge, or dentures), but also helps stimulate nourishing blood flow to the surrounding area.
It can do this because titanium is bio-compatible, meaning that the body treats it like organic material once it has been placed into the jaw. This renewed blood flow can help prevent and even reverse the tissue recession that is common after tooth loss. If they are being used to support dentures, for example, they insure that your fit stays more consistent over time.
A high-quality porcelain crown is then used to replace your tooth above the gum line. The ceramic material assures that your new tooth will be both aesthetically pleasing and functionally strong. While all of the methods offered at Deer Park Family Dentistry are more than capable of restoring your missing teeth, dental implants are by far the most complete and reliable over time.
Which One Is Right For Me?
The only way to figure out the best method for replacing your missing teeth is for you to make an appointment with us today. We will make sure that you understand all of your options so you can be confident in your decision. Stop thinking about food and start taking the steps so you can enjoy it again.