Missing teeth can make you feel like your smile appears incomplete, and it can actually compromise the structure of your smile. It’s important for your health that you see a dentist after tooth loss, and choose a replacement tooth option to restore your smile. Our O’Fallon dental office is here to explain your replacement tooth options and help you determine what treatment is best for your situation.
No matter how you lose a tooth—infection, accident, or having it removed because it isn’t savable—the resulting hole in your smile can lead to bone deterioration and shifting teeth. So what can you do to restore the appearance and the health of your smile?
Patients today have a number of options when it comes to replacement teeth. Whether you choose dentures, bridges, or dental implants, you really can reclaim your beautiful smile.
Dentures—dentures are attached to the gum line with dental adhesive. They are removable, and they will be custom fit to work with your mouth. Your dentures will can be shaped and shaded to look natural and attractive.
Bridges—bridges also sit on the gum tissue, but they are fixed in the mouth because they are attached to natural teeth. Bridges are also designed to look natural and blend with your existing teeth.
Dental implants—dental implants differ from the above options because they are actually surgically implanted into the jawbone. This means that they are not removable, and you’ll care for them as you’d care for natural teeth. Dental implants are custom crafted to fit your teeth—they’re made in a number of sizes to fit your existing smile.
There are number of considerations to keep in mind when thinking about replacement teeth treatments—cost, time involved, long-term maintenance, and aesthetic appearance, just to name a few. Our O’Fallon dentists can help you wade through the options and make the right choice for you—just give us a call!