When a person loses a tooth and it isn’t replaced, problems can result. It is not just a matter of looks, but it is unhealthy as well. Other teeth can begin to shift toward the space left by the missing tooth, causing gaps between other teeth and causing bite alignment problems. Bone loss also occurs in the jaw where teeth are missing.
Our doctors use the latest advancements in dental implant technology to provide stable, lasting options for patients with missing teeth, or patients who wear dentures but want a better, more comfortable option.
A dental implant is a titanium post placed in the jaw bone and is used to support a crown. Multiple implants can be used to support bridges or dentures for a more economical tooth replacement option. Dental implants look, feel and act like real teeth and are bio-compatible, meaning they integrate well with the body. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Until the last decade, the most used treatment option for replacing a missing tooth was by use of a dental bridge.
This was not an optimum solution. A dental bridge requires the cutting down of healthy adjacent teeth so that they can be capped to provide support for the false tooth.
Most dentists agree that the modern solution for missing teeth is dental implants. They replace natural tooth roots to support long-lasting and natural-looking and acting new teeth.
Our doctors do provide bridges if that is what the patient wants, but they feel a dental implant is the better option. With an implant, there is no need to cut down other teeth to support the restoration. Therefore, this is a more conservative method.
As with replacing a single tooth, Dr. Bonin and our other doctors prefer implants for replacing multiple missing teeth. This can be done using single implants to replace each missing tooth, or an implant-supported bridge can be used when there are three or more missing teeth in a row.
Dr. Bonin will come up with the best solution for replacing your missing teeth. He will go over all your options and will take your budget into consideration when coming up wit a treatment plan.
When it comes to replacing all your teeth, we offer several options. The doctor will go over these with you, answer your questions and explain the pros and cons of each option so you can choose wisely.
For patients who want conventional dentures, we offer both metal-based dentures and all-acrylic dentures. Our doctors can make you a very comfortable denture that fits well and looks great. We have immediate dentures for patients who need their teeth extracted. We have these ready for you before your teeth are extracted so you have teeth right after your extractions.
One of the problems with conventional dentures, however, is that they do not prevent the bone loss that occurs in the jaw when teeth are missing. We recommend dental implants as a better option. In addition to providing far better stability and chewing power than regular dentures, they also help prevent bone loss from occurring.
A good solution for a patient needing a full arch of teeth replaced is an implant-supported denture. Dental implants are placed in the jaw and the denture is made to snap onto the implants using a ball-and-socket type mechanism. The dentures can be easily removed for cleaning. This type of denture is very stable and comfortable, and allows you to eat the foods you want.
Patients can also enjoy the benefits of fixed (non-removable, except by the dentist) dentures using dental implants, and at a lower cost than dental bridges of porcelain teeth supported by implants. The teeth are attached using five to six implants per arch.
With fixed dentures there is no need for the fake palate covering the roof of the mouth that conventional dentures have. Best of all, you don’t have to take your dentures out, you can eat what you want, and in all ways enjoy a close-to-natural set of teeth.
In many cases patients can get any extractions they need, have the implants placed and get new teeth in the same day. These are worn until the implants have fully healed, at which point your new permanent dentition is placed. However, our temporaries are high quality and provide many of the benefits of your future permanent dentition.
This is the most natural-looking and acting replacement for missing teeth. Chewing power increases to as much as 99% of the normal bite force.
If you wear dentures but want more stability and comfort, we recommend using dental implants to stabilize your dentures. Dr. Bonin can stabilize them with as few as two implants per arch. The more implants used, the greater the stability and the more lifelike they appear.
The problem with dentures is that no matter how good the original fit, the denture itself wears away at the bone causing continuous bone loss and requiring the denture to be constantly adjusted. Eventually, there is no bony ridge available for any denture to fit onto. Implants can make them extremely secure and allow you to eat just about anything you desire.
Dr. Bonin fits your existing or new dentures with snaps that will fit snugly onto dental implants. After your implant surgery, you’ll be able to immediately snap them in and enjoy an improved eating experience!
Dentures stabilized with implants need to be cleaned daily and should be removed at night.
We offer a free dental implant consultation so you can learn all your options for replacing your missing teeth and find out if dental implants are a good solution for you.
