Missing Teeth Choices
Dental Implants – Single Missing Tooth
Dental implants are great way to replace missing teeth. A single tooth can be replaced without having to grind down the adjacent teeth. The dental implant looks and feels completely natural, and the patient can eat and speak normally. After it is placed, most patients don’t notice a difference between the dental implant and their natural teeth. A porcelain crown is placed on the implant and the results can be flawless.
Dental Implants - Multiple Missing Teeth
The quantity and quality of the jawbone are key elements when considering the replacement of multiple missing teeth with dental implants. If the patient has enough bone, the dental implants can be the perfect solution to replace many missing teeth. If four teeth are missing, for example, four dental implants can be placed along with four crowns. Or, two dental implants can be placed and a four-unit porcelain bridge will connect to the implants. Dental implants replace multiple missing teeth and the patient’s teeth stay permanently in their mouth.
Dental Implants – Most or All Teeth Missing
Dentures are a good option when many teeth are missing on the upper or lower jaw. Dental implants are the greatest advancement for denture wearers because they can add stability to the denture beyond any denture adhesive. Denture adhesives are good but do not have the strength and the solid anchorage that dental implants can provide. In some case, only two dental implants are necessary to stabilize a removable denture. We have placed dental implants in 80-year-old patients to stabilize their dentures. Their ability to eat and speak clearly is greatly improved.
Porcelain Bridges – Missing one or more teeth
Porcelain bridges can replace missing teeth without a dental surgery. In just a couple of weeks, the patient can have a fixed bridge that stays in their mouth. For the bridge to last 20 years or more, the patient should choose the most talented dentist to complete the treatment. Average dental work will not provide a long lasting dental porcelain bridge. Dr. Muslin is currently replacing a porcelain dental bridge that was done over 26 years ago on an 85-year-old patient. The bridge has provided flawless service to this patient and he has never has a problem. The bridge needs to be replaced due to natural wear and cement breakdown over the 26 years.