Tooth Replacement
Adults lose teeth for many reasons, ranging from trauma (accidents) to gum disease, tooth decay, bruxism (grinding), and misaligned teeth. Modern dentistry presents several options to replace your missing teeth. They include Dental crowns, if a portion of the tooth root remains. Dental implants, where a titanium insert is placed in the jaw bone and ceramic teeth are attached to this insert.
Bridges can be used to replace missing teeth by using the adjacent teeth as a means of support.
Dentures are removable devices that can replace missing teeth. They are made of acrylic and rest on the gum tissue directly.
In some cases, a tooth from one location can be transplanted to another location in the mouth. For example, a wisdom tooth or 3rd molar is not considered a very critical tooth for function and esthetics, and can be transplanted to the 2nd molar site.
Crowns
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A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth—covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. Crowns may be made as all metal, porcelain fused to metal or, all-ceramic (porcelain). Crowns are indicated for teeth with very large fillings, teeth that have had a root canal, fractured teeth, and misshapen and/or discolored teeth.
Crowns and bridges are very reliable solutions for major dental problems caused by accidents, diseases, or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. Materials used in these repairs are either high-grade porcelain or porcelain bonded to gold. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious dental problems. In instances where damage has occurred resulting in the loss of teeth, where teeth have broken away through excessive wear or tooth damage caused by old fillings breaking down, crowns and/or bridges can be used as a long-term solution.
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Bridges
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All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing, and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss does not necessarily have to occur as you age. But if you do lose teeth, they must be replaced to maintain the proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.
A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges) or they can be removable (removable bridge).
Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments. Also known as partial dentures.
Pre-operative smile before crown and bridge therapy.
Pre-operative intra oral view before crown and bridge therapy.
Post-operative intra oral view after crown and bridge therapy.
Pre-operative smile before crown and bridge therapy.
Dental Implants
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Implants are substitutes for teeth and they are today's best alternative to your natural teeth. They offer you a permanent or secure solution for replacing one or more teeth. They are made of biocompatible materials, just the same as hip implants or similar orthopedic devices, and function as anchors or support for traditional forms of dentistry, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.
If you lose one or more teeth due to periodontal disease, or another cause, there is hope. Dental implants are changing the way people live! They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.
Case 1 - Pre-operative smile with a missing tooth.
Case 1 - Post-operative smile after implant therapy.
Case 2 - Post-operative intra oral view after full mouth implant therapy.
Case 1 - Pre-operative smile with a missing tooth.
Dentures
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Conventional Dentures: Partials and dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. A partial can also be used in place of a bridge when surrounding teeth are not strong enough to hold a bridge or when more than just a few teeth are missing. Dentures are fully removable by the patient for cleaning.
Implant Dentures: Those patients who have worn dentures for many years often have advanced jawbone shrinkage resulting in difficulties wearing conventional dentures. Implant dentures are secured to the jawbone using artificial roots made of titanium.
Complete denture therapy.
Implant Supported Overdenture
Implant Supported Overdenture
Complete denture therapy.