There are many causes of missing teeth. In many cases, poor oral hygiene results in gum disease, tooth decay, or root canal infection, causing the tooth to fall out on its own or require extraction. Some patients may lose a tooth as a result of oral injury, such as those caused by a fall or sports-related accidents. And some patients actually have congenitally missing teeth.
While the causes of tooth loss may vary among patients, all patients with missing teeth should undergo treatment to have them replaced. Replacing missing teeth can help you maintain or improve your oral health, function, and appearance. At Winterset Dental, we offer dental restorations and implant dentistry services to replace your missing teeth. To undergo treatment for missing teeth, contact our Chicago, IL practice today.
Replacing the Tooth Root
A tooth consists of a crown, the portion of the tooth that is visible; and the root, the portion of the tooth that lies beneath the gum line. When you undergo treatment to replace your missing teeth, you have the option of replacing the root and crown of the tooth, or just replacing the crown.
To replace the root of the tooth, our dentists will surgically place a dental implant in your jawbone. The dental implant is a small, screw-like device that essentially replaces the root of the tooth. After the implant is placed in the jaw, the surrounding bone, tissues, and ligaments grow around the implant, holding it in place in the same manner as a natural tooth root. Once this process occurs, a dental restoration can be attached to the implant, replacing the crown of the tooth.
At Winterset Dental, we offer the full range of dental implant options:
- Single tooth implants
- Multiple tooth implants
- Mini dental implants
- The All on 4® system
- Same-day dental implants
Replacing the Tooth Crown
When it comes to replacing the crown of the tooth, patients have three options.
- A dental crown can be used to replace a single tooth.
- A dental bridge can replace a single tooth or multiple consecutive teeth.
- A denture is used to replace all or most of the teeth.
The type of restoration depends on the number and location of teeth that are missing, as well as the method in which the restoration will be secured within the mouth.
Dental Implant-supported Restorations
If you have had dental implants placed, we will recommend the use of a dental crown for single tooth replacement; a bridge for multiple, consecutive teeth replacement; and dentures to replace all of the teeth in your mouth. We will place the appropriate number of dental implants to hold your restoration firmly in place. When the implant healing process is complete, we will attach abutments to your implants, and then attach the restoration to the abutments.
Traditional Restorations
For those patients that are not considered good candidates for dental implant surgery or those that don’t want to undergo surgery, dental bridges and dentures can be held in place with alternative methods. If there are any remaining healthy teeth in the mouth, bridges may be held in place with crowns that are placed on the adjacent teeth.
For dentures, clasps may be fastened to any remaining teeth to hold the prosthetic in place. If there are no existing teeth, dentures may be held in place through proper fit and suction, or with the use of dental adhesives.
Patients have many options when it comes to the replacement of missing teeth. Contact Winterset Dental today to find out which treatment is right for you.