What Are My Options for Replacing Missing Teeth?
The primary goal of general dentistry services is to preserve the health and strength of the teeth to prevent tooth loss. Unfortunately, most people will suffer from tooth loss at some point in their life, with some losing a single tooth, and others experiencing substantial tooth loss.
Tooth loss compromises the strength, function, and beauty of the smile. At his Boston, MA, dental practice, Dr. James M. Stein offers treatment to replace missing teeth, including dental implants, the only dental restoration that addresses the loss of both the crown and roots of a missing tooth.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a dental prosthetic that bridges or spans the teeth to fill in gaps left by tooth loss. Traditional dental bridges consist of a pontic piece, which is a solid piece that can be fabricated to replicate between one and three missing teeth, and two dental crowns (one on either side of the pontic). The two natural teeth adjacent to the area of tooth loss are fitted with the dental crowns so that the dental bridge is securely held in place.
Dentures
Dentures are removable restorations that can replace a large number of missing teeth, up to an entire arch. Dentures are available as partial or complete prosthetics. Each is made up of a plastic base that resembles the gum line, and a series of artificial teeth. Partial dentures are held in place by thin metal hooks that wrap around remaining natural teeth, while complete dentures sit over the gum line and create a seal that helps hold them in place.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the tooth loss replacement of choice for many of our Boston patients. Dental implants are small titanium screws that are surgically placed in the jaw. There, they fuse with the bone tissues and act as artificial tooth roots. Dental implants act as anchors for a full range of dental restorations, including dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures. Dental implants are extremely versatile, allowing us to replace a single tooth, a small set of missing teeth, or an entire arch of missing teeth.
There are numerous dental implant benefits that set this tooth loss treatment apart from the others. Some of the most notable advantages of dental implants include:
- Ease of care - Dental implants hold restorations securely in place, so they can be brushed and flossed just like the natural teeth.
- Comfort and stability - Dental implants support dental restorations so that they feel like a natural part of the smile. Patients never have to worry that implant-supported restorations will shift or slip out of place.
- Durability - As dental implants fuse with the bone tissues, they essentially become a part of the jaw. With proper care, dental implants last a lifetime.
- Prevention of bone loss - Every time a person bites down the tooth roots stimulate the jaw bone to promote healthy tissue growth. When tooth loss occurs, that stimulation is missing, and the bone can degenerate. Dental implants are the only restoration to replace the roots of a tooth so that bone loss does not occur.
Contact Dr. James M. Stein
If you have suffered from adult tooth loss, you may be an ideal candidate for dental implant treatment. To schedule a consultation with Dr. James M. Stein and determine which tooth loss treatment is most appropriate for your unique needs and desires, send us a message online, or call our Boston practice at (617) 227-6076.