The team at our Bloomington MN dental office is concerned first and foremost with boosting oral health at every stage of life so that our patients are able to hold onto the teeth that comprise their natural smiles.
But, as you may well know, sometimes that’s not in the cards. The good news is that at Weddell Dental, you’ll have a few different options for replacing missing teeth, no matter how that tooth loss occurred. Keep reading to hear more about what we can do to help you reclaim your quality of life, and then be sure to call us at 952-679-1365 to get started with your consultation appointment.
You Have To Do Something
When you experience tooth loss as an adult it will leave an unnatural hole in your smile. And your cheeks will take on a sunken-in appearance as your jawbone recedes. That’s about enough to destroy your look along with your self-confidence. But that won’t be the worst of it. You’ll also lose mouth functionality. Having several missing teeth or being without teeth entirely, will change your menu options for the foreseeable future. That’s because without enough teeth it’s difficult to chew the foods you love (let alone the ones that keep you healthy!).
Dentures Or Bridges
You may already be aware that dentures and bridges are two of the tried and true methods for replacing missing teeth in adult patients. These dental restorations have been around for years, and the latest versions are more lifelike than ever.
The basic idea behind dentures is that they rest on your gums and restore some of the function and appearance that your smile has been missing. On a positive note, dentures are also the most cost-effective way to address widespread tooth loss.
However, the primary complaint from patients has been that dentures can lose their fit as time goes by, and, in reality, (according to recent studies) dentures can only give you something like 25 to 50 percent of the biting force you once had with your natural teeth.
Here’s a fun fact: dental bridges are comprised of a series of dental crowns and they physically bridge the gap created by missing teeth. To place the bridge, we need to place crowns on the teeth next to the missing tooth. While bridges can restore some of the function of your mouth, placing a bridge can be a bit invasive because we need to file down the adjacent teeth to support the restoration. Still, it could be your preferred route once we examine your situation from all angles.
Dental Implants
It goes without saying that your natural teeth are going to be the best teeth you’ll ever have. That said, you can reclaim the majority of your original form and function in your mouth after you’ve lost teeth. But this is really only possible with dental implants.
Our durable implants are made from titanium, a material that naturally fuses with the jawbone. After the implant has healed, it can be restored with a single crown, bridge, or even dentures.
One of our implant systems great for patients with total tooth loss is All-on-4 or All-on-6 dental implants. We can place a series of implants around the arch to stabilize your new replacement teeth. Using this system, the upper arch is left open, giving you more exposure to tastes and hot and cold sensations.
Truth be told, dental implants are more expensive than conventional dentures or dental bridges, which is why they aren’t for everyone. But there is a lot of value provided.
With implants, you have real biting power again, so you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want. You also don’t have to worry about your teeth slipping around or falling out. And, the dental implant will help preserve the bone from receding, allowing you to regain a more youthful appearance.
A dental implant procedure will take years off of your look, while hopefully adding them onto your life on account of all the healthy eating you’ll be able to do. Plus, with proper care, they could last for decades.
Call Today To Take Back Your Smile
When you arrive at our office, we’ll go over all of your dental options for replacing missing teeth. Then, together, we can come up with a solution that makes the most sense for your current concerns, goals, and budget. Call our Bloomington, MN dental office today at 952-679-1365 or contact us online to request your consultation appointment at Weddell Dental.