replace a missing tooth Archives - Smile Glen Ellyn Restorative Dentist
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Dental Implants
15Feb

Thanks to modern dentistry, false teeth are no longer the only option for replacing missing teeth. If you are missing one or more teeth, you have more options available than ever before. Drs. Gibbs may recommend dental implants or partial dentures. While either option is reasonable, improves your smile, and restores tooth function, there are pros and cons for both dental implants and partial dentures. To make the right choice, you’ll want to consider several things.

Your Current Dental Health

Most people are candidates for dental implants, but it can depend on your dental health and whether or not you have a healthy jawbone capable of supporting implants. If you do not, it is still very likely you can be fitted with dental implants Dr. Thomas Gibbs can perform bone grafts to rebuild the jawbone. A partial denture is suitable in most cases on a temporary basis and can often be worn until your mouth is healthy enough to support implants.

 Aesthetic Appearance

Generally, dental implants tend to be more aesthetic than partial dentures. Both provide a realistic appearance. However, the clasps that attach partials to your natural teeth can be visible. In terms of teeth replacement, implants and dentures help preserve your natural smile. Implants look and function closer to your natural teeth.

 Comfort of Partial Dentures vs Dental Implants

Dental implants are fused to the jawbone, so they remain securely in place. Partial dentures are attached to natural teeth but are mostly supported by gums. They can rub or slip which can cause sore spots. Partials can make it difficult to eat crunchy and chewy foods comfortably.

 Cost of Dental Implants and Partial Dentures

The price of dental implants continues to be affordable for many, and some insurance companies now cover them. They are still more expensive than dentures. However, implants are a permanent solution that will last as long as natural teeth with proper care.

 Stability and Strength

Partial dentures restore about 25% of your natural bite strength. When bite strength is inadequate, it’s harder to eat foods like steak or corn on the cob. Dental implants feel more like natural teeth and help restore over 90% of your biting strength. This allows you to continue enjoying all your favorite foods, and can often have a beneficial impact on allowing you to continue eating nutritious and healthful foods.

 Future of Your Oral Health

When a tooth or multiple teeth are removed, gum tissue and the jawbone begin to shrink. Over some time, this causes the face to have a sunken appearance which can make you look older. Even if your dentures are well-fitted, they eventually become loose. Wearing dentures long-term can also cause chronic sores and inflammation in your mouth. This raises your risk of developing gum disease. Since dental implants replace both the entire tooth including the root which helps prevent or reduce bone loss. They also reduce your risk for gum disease, mouth sores, and inflammation.

 How long do implants and partial dentures last?

With proper maintenance, partial dentures can last for between six and eight years. Implants, on the other hand, can last a lifetime with proper care. Since they are made from porcelain and metal, they are not susceptible to bacteria that cause cavities and decay.

 Implants vs Dentures

Partial dentures are removable whereas implants are not. Partials are anchored to natural teeth. Implants create a stable base, and each implant supports a single crown. If you are missing a few teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge is an option that only requires two implants.

 Contact Smile Glen Ellyn

If you are ready to smile again, contact Dr. Gibbs at Smile Glen Ellyn. After a thorough exam and x-rays, Dr. Jessica Gibbs can make recommendations to help you make the best choice for you. Call us today to schedule your exam.

lady with a beautiful confident smile
12Nov

 

Your Glen Ellyn cosmetic dentist offers some options when it comes to teeth replacements. You may have heard of dental crowns, dentures, bridges, and traditional implants. But in some instances, you may be a good candidate for a mini dental implant. Dr. Gibbs is happy to discuss the options and which one is right for you.

What are the benefits of mini dental implants?

A mini tooth implant offers the same range of advantages you would receive from standard-sized implants, including:

  •  Stable replacement tooth (or teeth)
  • Healthier oral health
  • Natural-looking smile
  • Restored full oral function
  • Improved digestion
  • A new sense of confidence

How Mini Implants Help Restore Your Smile

Traditionally, a Glen Ellyn cosmetic dentist used tooth replacement options like dentures, bridges, or full-sized dental implants. Both bridges and dentures are non-invasive procedures that help restore your smile without surgery. Dental implants provide a more secure option, restore your full smile, and look natural.

Implants are placed securely in the mouth using a titanium screw that is surgically and permanently attached to the implant and your jawbone. If you prefer a restoration but would rather have a less invasive procedure, the mini dental implant may be your better choice.

Are there any advantages over dentures or bridges?

Bridges and dentures are still effective ways to treat tooth loss. However, mini implants offer a few benefits over both options, including:

  • You don’t have to remove mini implants to clean them. Dentures and bridges both need to be removed to clean them. Mini implants, like their traditional counterpart, are brushed just like natural teeth.
  • Implants don’t present problems with eating. They function just like your natural teeth, so you can eat anything you want.
  • Dentures and bridges typically need replacement every 10 to 15 years. Implants are made to last a lifetime.
  • Mini implants do not move around when you are speaking. Dentures or a bridge can often slur your speech slightly because of the tendency to move.

How do Mini Dental Implants Work?

Mini implants function similarly to larger traditional implants. Due to their smaller size, they can also be used for several other purposes. Mini implants often support a dental bridge, a fixed crown, or dentures. They do not need as many visits to A Better Smile Dentistry, and they don’t require extensive dental work. They are usually placed in a single visit and multiple visits are not necessary.

This newer technique for replacing missing teeth was specifically designed to solve the problems of larger, traditional implants. They are less invasive and less painful. You do not have to dread multiple procedures, and they do not involve bone grafts. Mini implants often fit in smaller spaces or replace smaller teeth like premolars and incisors. And in many cases, they are less expensive.

Who can benefit from a mini dental implant?

Dr. Gibbs at A Better Smile Dentistry will recommend mini implants in certain cases. You may be a good candidate if one or more of these conditions apply to you.

  • You don’t have adequate jawbone strength to support standard-sized dental implants
  • There’s not enough space for larger implants.
  • You need a less expensive option for replacing missing teeth.
  • You prefer a less-invasive procedure.

This option is well-suited for patients who have smaller than normal teeth, have loose dentures, or have premolar replacement. We understand that everyone’s smile is unique. That’s why your treatment is customized to fit your specific needs.

 

Contact Smile Glen Ellyn 

Are you worried about a weak jawbone? You can still use mini dental implants to improve your smile. Dr. Gibbs has the experience and expertise to provide you with advanced alternatives to traditional implants. Call us today to discuss restoring your smile with a mini dental implant.

9Apr

Here at Smile Glen Ellyn, we talk a lot about the power of dental implants. Our patients sometimes come into the office with little or no expectation of what a dental implant can do to improve their smile, but they soon find out because we want EVERYONE to know!

That’s right, while not everyone is in need of a dental implant, you might reach a point where you need to replace a tooth, and we want you to know the best possible restoration so that you don’t waste your time or risk your other teeth with lesser-quality restorations.

A dental implant has so many benefits, which is why we refer to it as your superhero. Let’s take a look at some of those benefits so that you have a better understanding of why this restoration is so powerful!

Titanium for the Body
It all begins with the material used to make a dental implant. Titanium is one of few materials with the strength and compatibility needed to make an implant work. You see, the bone accepts titanium and will actually fuse to the metal to create a solid, permanent bond. It is also very, very rare for a patient to be allergic to titanium, which makes it a perfect choice to become a permanent part of your body.

The Process of Osseointegration
As we mentioned above, titanium and the bone get along really well. From the moment we place the implant in the jaw bone, it accepts the implant as a faux-root. It will actually grow around the post of the implant and bond with it through a fusion process called osseointegration, which is a fancy word that means the implant is integrated into the bone structure.

The Many Uses of Dental Implants
One of the great benefits of dental implants is the number of uses they have! We can use dental implants to restore one tooth or all of your teeth! We can replace a few teeth in a row with a bridge. We can use implants to secure your full set of dentures, or we can toss the dentures out the window and go with a full set of non-removable teeth! No matter the situation, if a tooth is missing in any part of your mouth, we can use implants to restore the missing tooth without putting any of the surrounding teeth at risk!

Stability and Longevity
When you have a tooth replaced, you want it to stay that way! You don’t want to have to go back to the dentist every 5-10 years for a replacement or repair. Many other restorations will leave you dissatisfied in this matter. A dental implant, on the other hand, is the only restoration on the market that is permanent! It can actually last for a lifetime because of the osseointegration we mentioned above! That’s something worth investing in!

The Natural Restoration
The reason we absolutely love dental implants is that they are so natural in your smile. They feel natural because the root replacement is so secure. They look natural because we can get the crown to match the rest of your teeth just so. They function like natural teeth because they are completely self-sufficient and don’t bother the surrounding teeth for stability. Dental implants are one of a kind in that once it’s in, you will hardly ever have to think or worry about it ever again!

Learn More Today!

Are you ready to see what the fuss is all about? Learn more about dental implants when you come into our office for a consultation or appointment. We would love to see you and help you understand just how amazing these dental implants really are!

Don’t live with a less-than-stellar dental restoration any longer. Let us give you an upgrade with a dental implant. Contact us today to get started!

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