“Dr. Claire Little is amazing, and this dental office is the best! They are friendly, professional, compassionate and responsive. I wish all my medical providers were this good.”
Tooth Replacement Options
Your teeth affect your whole body. When they’re healthy, you’re healthier too. A missing tooth can affect your bite, speech and eating choices. As you rely more on your remaining teeth, you increase the chance they will wear out prematurely, be damaged or lost. You may also experience headaches and/or jaw pain.
Premature tooth loss may lead to atrophy of your jawbone. That’s the natural consequence of missing teeth – the jaw literally melts away. Generally, people may lose 50% or more of the bone in the first 6 months after tooth loss. Dental implants are more easily placed when teeth are first extracted because bone replacement therapy may be performed at the time of extraction.
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Dental Implants
Dentures
Fixed Bridge
Flipper
Metal Partial
Why select dental implants over more traditional types of restorations?
There are several reasons: A dental bridge can sacrifice the healthy sound structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge the space of the missing tooth/teeth, which often leads to further treatment (i.e. root canal treatment). It also requires adjacent teeth to support additional weight, which may result in a fracture. Performing proper oral hygiene is harder under a bridge, which leaves the supporting teeth at greater risk for future decay.
Furthermore, dental implants maintain the jawbone even after the tooth is lost, something that neither a fixed bridge or a removable appliance are capable of doing. Finally, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.
Missing All Upper or Lower Teeth
Missing All Lower Teeth
Although many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several implant-supported replacement options are available if you are missing all of your lower teeth.
Bar Attachment Denture
Another option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special internal retention clips that attach onto the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture.” The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Individual
Implants
The final option is to have all your teeth replaced with multiple implants so that they will appear to be growing out of your gum tissue and will most closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. This option usually requires five or more implants (depending on each individual’s needs). Separate abutments or support posts for each one of these implants will be made and crowns for each missing tooth will be placed. Overall, this is the most costly option, because it requires the most implants and individual replacement tooth fabrication. Your replacement options may also be limited by the current size and shape of your jawbone.
Implant Retained Upper Denture
Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.
Screw-Retained Denture
A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at some maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.
Implant Supported Denture
One option is to have 2-4 implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these implants. This option allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing than without implants.
Individual Upper Implants
If you want a restoration that is similar to your natural teeth and therefore not removable, you probably will need eight to ten individual implants placed. This is followed after healing by the placement of the abutments and new replacement crowns.
“Excelling, caring, service. I had a cleaning with Michelle and she went the extra mile for me and didn’t give up. The doctor, Dr. Sharma takes the time to educate and follow patients. Nice to have a periodontist with these skills. Thank you.”
“I am always met with a smile. I was seated on time and Dr Gonzalez is very efficient and professional. I never felt the injection. It all went very smoothly. The staff is wonderful. Won’t go anywhere else.”
“Dr. Farris and his associates are the most professional, caring and dedicated group that I have ever have the pleasure to meet. Yesterday I had my first scheduled cleaning done by Vanessa. It was the best cleaning that I have ever experienced in my life. I was literally shocked at the attention to detail and professionalism I experienced under her care. Thank you very much.”