lost teeth Archives - Smile Glen Ellyn Restorative Dentist
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17Jun

For the last couple of blog posts, we’ve been talking a lot about how dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth and prevent the negative consequences that are associated with missing teeth. Not everyone can get dental implants; you’ve got to meet certain health requirements. However, if you are a good candidate to receive dental implants, they are the only solution that doesn’t compromise on performance while being entirely discrete.

Smile Glen Ellyn (located in Glen Ellyn, IL, and serving patients throughout the Chicago area) offers several types of dental implants to meet your specific needs; we can place dental implants that are ideal for your specific health profile and lifestyle, so you can get the most out of your dental implants.

What Dental Implants are Available at Smile Glen Ellyn?

Besides standard dental implants, we also offer dental implants that are designed to replace multiple lost teeth, as well as dental implants that will work even in mouths of patients who don’t have perfect oral health.

Dentures 2.0

Conventional dentures are still popular today, owing to their low (upfront) cost, and the fact that people are simply more familiar with them. Conventional dentures have many drawbacks, however, and if you can avoid them, you should. Conventional dentures depend entirely on how they fit in your mouth to stay in place and remain effective (well, as effective as conventional dentures can be; conventional dentures will only allow you 10% of your bite strength, which means you’ll have to get used to a lot of lifestyle changes). When the fit is lost, the dentures can be embarrassing (slipping out, causing a clicking sound that is very audible and noticeable) and even dangerous: all that movement results in a lot of rubbing between your oral tissues, your teeth, and the dentures. This can create mouth sores that can serve as entryways for infection and disease.

However, dentures are a cost-effective way to replace multiple lost teeth at once, which is why we offer dentures that are supported by dental implants. There are two types:

Implant Retained Dentures

Implant retained dentures are the less intensive option of the two types of implant-supported dentures available at Smile Glen Ellyn. Two dental implants (although as many as four can be used, depending on your specific need) are placed, and the dentures snap into position. The dentures are still removable, and you’ll still need to clean them regularly to eliminate harmful bacteria and avoid complications.

Bar Supported Dentures

Instead of two to four dental implants supporting only the dentures, bar supported dentures require at five or even six implants. The implants support a bar, which in turn holds the dentures. These are much more stable than even implant retained dentures, and provide even greater biting strength, allowing you to live the same life you’ve always lived, but with improved confidence.

Bridge to the Future

Bridges, like dentures, are a well-known solution for missing one or more than one teeth. Traditionally, bridges work by using a pair of crowns to support a replacement tooth or set of teeth. They are effective, and you won’t sacrifice as much performance as with conventional dentures. However, placing the crowns usually means that healthy teeth must be filed down; this removes enamel, your first and last defense against bacteria and infection (it does not grow back after it is gone). Traditional bridges also must be replaced entirely every five to seven years.

Implant-supported bridges are ideal for replacing your partial dentures; instead of relying on dental crowns, implants will support the artificial tooth or teeth. The more stable foundation provided by implants will increase performance, and will allow the bridge to last longer than traditional bridges.

Teeth in a Day (All-on-Four Dental Implants)

All-on-Four dental implants are a more recent addition to the world of dental implants, and they’re ideal if you need to replace many teeth, or even all your teeth.

A standard dental implant will support a single artificial tooth; however, it’s not practical or safe to use many standard dental implants to replace a lot of missing teeth.

All-on-Four solves this by using only four dental implants to support an entire arch of artificial teeth.

Even better, you can have your new teeth in one day!

Are You Missing Teeth and Looking for Solutions?

Consider dental implants! Call us today and make an appointment; your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and jaw to determine if you’re well enough to support dental implants, and if not, whether you could benefit from restorative procedures (such as a bone graft to enhance the bone density in your jaw) that will get you in good enough shape to get implants.

Dial 630-858-8800, or click here for our online appointment form to book your visit right now!

9Jun

Dental implants have the highest value of all the solutions for teeth that are missing or have become lost due to injury, infection, or disease. Ultimately, the goal of any procedure to replace missing teeth is to return you to normalcy: losing one or more teeth is traumatic, both as it happens and in terms of the effects of lost teeth on your overall oral health.

  • Are you a Glen Ellyn, IL resident (or anyone in the Chicago area) who is struggling with missing teeth?
  • Are you tired of the physical pain and stigma of missing teeth?
  • Are you tired of treating your missing teeth with half-measures: dentures that slip and slide (and also require constant cleaning and maintenance), and dental bridges that must be frequently replaced and pose a risk of serious infection?

If you can answer “Yes” to any of these questions, you will want to learn more about dental implants. In our last post, we talked about how dental implants are the most valuable solution for teeth that are lost; dental implants are placed once and will last a lifetime, present no threat of infection, and require no more maintenance than your natural teeth. They also look better and work better than more conventional solutions.

What Is A Dental Implant? How Does It Work?

A dental implant replaces a missing tooth, or multiple teeth, permanently. This is possible because unlike bridges and dentures that require the support of either your teeth or oral tissues, a dental implant is surgically placed in your jawbone. Because dental implants require more intensive surgery than other solutions, you must be able to undergo general anesthesia to receive them. We’ll discuss later what makes a good candidate for dental implants; for now it suffices to say that not everyone can get them, due to complications arising from the condition of your oral and general health, and even lifestyle to an extent.

Depending on your situation, you may need a “traditional” dental implant, which is the basic type, or if you are missing multiple teeth or need a more specialized solution, more exotic implants such as All on Four implants(more on this later). Dental implants come in a variety of types and configurations, but they all generally follow the same basic design.

Dental implants are made up of three key components: the anchor, the abutment, and the crown.

The anchor is the “bottom” of the dental implant. It represents a post and is usually threaded like a screw or bolt (though some types of implant don’t have threading). The threading is how your dentist will apply the necessary mechanical force to the implant and ensure that it is solidly and firmly in place. You can think of the anchor almost as an artificial tooth root; it isn’t visible, and it is placed in your jawbone and beneath your gums.

Because of the function it performs and the environment in which it exists, it is necessary that the anchor be extremely strong, lightweight, and made of a biocompatible material (biocompatible materials are those that do not cause your body to react to their presence). Titanium fits all these requirements, and the majority of anchors are made of this metal.

The abutment is the piece that holds the whole implant together, linking the anchor to the crown. Abutment configurations vary, but usually they will employ a “screw-in” mechanism or a strong adhesive or cement.

Finally, the crown is the part of the visible part of the implant. It is designed to look as close in appearance to your natural teeth as possible, and is made of durable materials so that it can endure the impact and pressure of grinding and chewing food, as well as supporting the shape of the face and playing a role in keeping your jaws in proper alignment (all of which go away with teeth that are missing).

Can A Dental Implant Break or Fail?

Dental implants rarely break or fail. Implants are successful 95% of the time, provided no serious complications arise or injuries occur. When they do have problems, though, it is usually because the person who has the implant was not an ideal candidate to begin with.

Not everyone can get dental implants. Only by consulting your dentist will you know if you can have them and benefit from them. However, you can take a look at this brief overview of what your dentist considers when trying to determine if you can have dental implants placed.

Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you are interested in receiving dental implants, you must be:

  • In good oral and general health
  • Able to tolerate general anesthesia
  • Be a grown adult
  • A non-smoker (or at least making a serious effort to quit; smoking retards the healing process)

Of these criteria, the ones that people most struggle with are those that relate to your physical health.

Good General Health means that you are free of serious diseases. The diseases that can cause the worse complications are high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Just having these diseases doesn’t “disqualify” you from getting dental implants, but you will need to work with your dentist and other members of your healthcare team to understand the specifics of your problem; that is, what complications if any should be expected (and if they can be mitigated), and if you need to address these health issues before you can receive implants (if at all).

Good Oral Health is very problematic for many people seeking dental implants, because the most common reason teeth are lost is due to disease. Most frequently, that disease is periodontal, or gum disease. Gum disease, among other problems, can degrade your jaw’s bone density (which may also be reduced simply by missing the tooth). Dental implants depend on your jawbone to stay firmly in place and to work correctly. In fact, even though your implants will be firmly in place after your surgery, it will take up to a couple of months for them to become a permanent fixture. Because dental implants are biocompatible, they actually will merge with your jawbone as a part of healing, undergoing a process called osseointegration (if you’ve ever seen a tree grow around a foreign object, it’s the same principle).

If you have too little bone density, the implant stands a strong chance of failure. However, your dentist may be able to restore lost bone density with a bone graft (surgically placing a small amount of bone from one part of your body to your jaw). You may also have complications in your upper jaw, which can potentially be solved by a sinus lift. 

Would You Like to Know if Dental Implants Are A Solution For You?

Then give us a call and make an appointment for a consultation! Only your dentist can tell you if you are in good enough health to receive dental implants; if you aren’t for whatever reason, your dentist can help you find the solution that will work best for you.

Call us at 630-858-8800 or click here to book your appointment now online.

1Jun

 

Missing teeth are more than just a blow to your appearance and self-confidence. The physiological consequences of missing your teeth are painful, embarrassing, and dangerous. The effects of missing teeth are not easily reversed, and the longer you wait to fully address your problem, the worse your situation will become.

Tooth loss is more common than you might think, and contrary to popular opinion teeth aren’t usually lost due to unfortunate accidents or injury. Most teeth that are lost in the US are caused by oral disease, most frequently gum disease. In our Glen Ellyn, IL dental practice we offer a wide range of dental implant options to help you overcome the life-changing impact of missing your teeth. Don’t be ashamed any longer because of gaps in your teeth. Do something about it by contacting Smile Glen Ellyn!

What Happens If I Don’t Take Action and Seek Treatment for Missing Teeth?

Sometimes people have a tendency to disregard the seriousness of tooth loss. In popular culture, tooth loss is often regarded as a joke, as if missing teeth only happen in cartoons. The reality is tooth loss is traumatic and incredibly common. The ADA estimates that on average, an adult in the United States has lost, or is about to lose, three teeth.

If you don’t address the problem quickly, missing teeth will cause a number of issues and cause your oral health to nose-dive very quickly.

Consequences of Tooth Loss

The consequences of tooth loss go beyond your appearance and affect nearly every aspect of your life. A tooth that is lost can cause a “domino effect” that is deleterious to your oral health and your overall wellbeing.

Tooth loss:

  • Impairs your ability to speak and chew
  • Causes your face to collapse into a drooping “toothless” shape and appearance
  • Reduces bone density in the jaw (especially in the immediate area where a tooth has been lost)
  • Causes “free-range” teeth: lost teeth leave gaps, and this creates space for your remaining teeth to move out of position, ultimately contributing to misalignment of your jaw, which makes your remaining teeth vulnerable to fracturing and chipping. These injuries can lead to tooth infection; this can lead to further tooth loss.

Why Dental Implants? Don’t Dentures and Bridges Work Just as Well?

Conventional solutions for tooth loss (dentures and bridges, at least the types that most are familiar with) are indeed effective, and  many people consider them a good option because these solutions, when compared with dental implants (of any kind) have a lower upfront cost. While implants cost more, they also have a higher value: dental implants will last a lifetime, and they more closely replicate the appearance and functionality of your natural teeth to a much greater degree than traditional dentures and bridges.

Comparing Dental Bridges and Dental Implants

A dental bridge is essentially a pair of crowns that are placed on the teeth on both sides of a gap (these teeth are called the abutment teeth). The two crowns support one or more artificial teeth that fit in the gap, creating the appearance of natural teeth; dental bridges also provide the functionality of natural teeth. Dental bridges have one advantage over dental implants in that a dental bridge does not require surgery (dental bridges can be placed completely within two appointments).

However, dental bridges have certain drawbacks, as well. Dental bridges do not last as long as dental implants. Estimates regarding the longevity of dental bridges vary, depending on the material used and the type of bridge. Additional factors such as the expertise and experience of the dentist placing the bridge also come into play, but a dental bridge may last anywhere from as long as 15 years to as short as 5 years. In any case, dental bridges must eventually be replaced completely. This means that at some point, you pay for an entirely new appliance and undergo the entire placement procedure multiple times throughout your life. Dental implants are placed once, and will last for as long as they are needed (provided they receive the appropriate maintenance).

Dental bridges may also threaten your oral health. It is relatively common for abutment teeth to become infected as a result of the dental bridge placement. In many cases, the dental bridge may not fit exactly into the gap. To make it fit properly, the abutment teeth are filed down considerably. This removes your enamel (which does not grow back), and without that protection, infection becomes a strong possibility.

A dental bridge is called a dental restoration (a category that includes dental crowns, as well as veneers): the appliance is fixed in the position more or less permanently and cannot be removed without a dentist to complete the procedure.

Comparing Dentures and Dental Implants

Dentures are a type of prosthesis; they can be removed easily by the person who wears them (for necessary cleaning). Dentures, unlike dental bridges and dental implants, only approximate the appearance of natural teeth. Dentures are not as reliable in terms of functionality; for example, dentures only afford 10% to 20% of your actual bite strength, which places limits on your diet and lifestyle.

Dentures also have many shortcomings, most of them resulting from poor fit. Even if your dentures fit perfectly when you first get them, eventually they lose their fit. They can become damaged due to wear (or injury), but they often lose their fit because the mouth around the dentures undergoes changes. For example, weight loss can cause changes in your oral tissues that make your dentures fit incorrectly!

This is why dentures are notorious for their tendency to slip and slide in your mouth. This can lead to embarrassment when they fall out; they also make an audible clicking sound when you speak or open your mouth too wide.

Dentures, like dental bridges, also raise your risk of dental infection. Dentures stay in place with the use of adhesives, but they are mostly supported by how they interact with your oral tissues and remaining teeth. Dentures that are new and fit correctly will stay in place, but as time goes by, the rubbing and friction caused by their continuous movement will irritate your gums and cause mouth sores. These become portals for infection, especially if you aren’t extremely careful about keeping your dentures clean (which is more difficult than it might seem).

Dental implants do not move when they are placed; you don’t need to remove them to clean them. In fact, you can take care of your dental implants in the same way as your natural teeth!

Interested in Learning More About Dental Implants?

Stay tuned for the next entry in this blog series on dental implants; we’ll discuss how dental implants work and what you should expect in terms of performance.

Of course, you could always just make an appointment with your dentist for a consultation!

Dial 630-858-8800, or click here to book your appointment online.

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