Replacing missing teeth is very important. At Dental Health & Wellness Boston, we choose the best dental restoration solution for you. Missing teeth can affect your ability to chew and may allow adjacent teeth to move or shift. We offer an array of restoration dentistry options for tooth replacement including dental implants, bridges, dentures and partial dentures.
We will work with a dental implant specialist to create an implant for a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or to replace a removable appliance. Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures. Dental implants are so well-designed that they mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Implants are usually made of a synthetic yet biocompatible material.
Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system. Surgery is necessary to prepare the area for an implant and place the implant in the mouth. Following the procedure, a period of time is required for the implant to take hold and for bone tissue to build up and anchor the device. In all cases, dental implants require strict oral hygiene. Consult with your dentist at Dental Health & Wellness Boston to determine the best course of action for you.
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth. In order to be a good candidate for bridgework, the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth need to be strong enough to be utilized as support teeth, and must be prepared down or crowned. Bridges can last many years and are not removable, except when being replaced by your dentist.
Appliances called implant bridges are similar to dental bridges except that they are supported by implants instead of teeth. These bridges can be screw retained, which allows them to be retrieved periodically by your dentist for maintenance or repair, or they can be cemented into place as a permanent implant bridge.
Partial dentures are often a solution when several teeth are missing. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases, which are connected by metal framework. Removable partial dentures attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. Precision attachments are generally more visually-pleasing than metal clasps and are nearly invisible. Crowns on your natural teeth may improve the fit of a removable partial denture and are usually required with attachments.
The term full denture refers to a prosthesis made to replace teeth when a person is missing all teeth on the upper or lower jaw. Made of plastic acrylic, they replace not only the teeth but also the gum and bone that was lost over time. A well made denture can help restore the pleasure of eating and smiling to a person who has lost their teeth. In our practice we are often incorporating implants into this treatment for better stability.
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