If you are among the millions of Americans missing one or more teeth, you need to know that there are three basic ways to restore your teeth. You can either get a
- Bridge,
- Implant, or
- Removable or partial dentures.
Each treatment or combination of these treatment options should be tailored to your individual needs.
4 Unit (crowns) Bridge
Missing and broken teeth
A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a Pontic, to fill in a missing tooth. It is held in place by two crowns that are attached to your teeth on each side of the spot where the tooth is missing. A “fixed” bridge can replace one or more missing teeth and cannot be taken out of your mouth, as you might do with removable partial dentures. The bridge is custom-made to fill in the space with a false tooth.
How is this done? Dr. Babik will prepare your teeth on either side of the space. You will be given a mild anesthetic to numb the area. Dr. Babik will make an impression, which will serve as the model from with the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be made by a dental laboratory. While the permanent bridge is being made, you will have a temporary bridge to wear. The temporary bridge will protect your teeth and gums.
permanent crown over Implant
Implant Replacing missing tooth
Our goal is for you to keep your teeth for life! If you do lose one or more teeth, you now have the option of dental implants. Dental implants:
- Are sometimes a great option for a missing tooth, or teeth
- Are fixtures of titanium which are surgically screwed into your jaw bone
- Provide an anchor for a naturally-appearing false tooth or set of teeth
- Are typically best placed in the front portion of your lower jaw
- Are increasingly used to replace bridges and partial dentures
Are you a candidate for dental implants?
- If you are missing a tooth or teeth and have enough bone in the area of the missing tooth, this procedure can yield terrific results
- Implants are sometimes a welcome alternative to removable bridges or dentures.
- For some people, there are varying degrees of discomfort or pain, which subsides in a couple of days.
- The procedure requires a three to six month healing period.
The rejection or failure rate is minimal.
Complete Upper denture with Lower Crowns and Precision Partial Denture
Missing Upper Teeth and Most Lower Teeth
Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable. However, there are many different denture designs, some of which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental implants. There are two main categories of dentures, depending on whether they are used to replace missing teeth on the mandibular arch or the maxillary arch.