3210 Wilkinson Blvd, Ste. B-2, Charlotte, NC 28208
Restore Your Smile: Options for Missing Teeth
When you meet someone for the first time, one of the first things they notice is your smile. A complete set of teeth enhances your appearance and confidence. However, teeth can be damaged or lost due to injury or decay. Replacing missing teeth can restore your smile and help you eat and speak normally.
At Urban Family Dental, we offer various options for addressing missing teeth in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. Our team can help you find the best solutions that fit your budget and needs. We’re dedicated to providing a solution you can feel great about.
Call us today at (704) 900-5445 to schedule an appointment!
Available treatments
The good news for patients with missing teeth is that there are effective solutions available. An evaluation will take into account your medical history, the severity of your oral health conditions, and the number of missing teeth to determine the best treatment option. Our team may recommend the following options:
- Dentures: Available as full or partial sets, dentures are removable and designed to resemble natural teeth.
- Implants: While this option may take longer to complete, dental implants are highly durable and suitable for patients missing multiple teeth.
- Bridges: According to an article on WebMD, this treatment involves anchoring artificial teeth to crowns placed over natural teeth. Bridges help prevent surrounding teeth from shifting.
All treatment options come with their own benefits and challenges. It's important for both the patient and the dentist to have an open discussion about the available choices and then determine the best fit for the patient's needs.
Comparing the Durability of Tooth Replacement Options
Durability is a crucial factor when selecting a long-term tooth replacement option. The lifespan of a treatment affects not only your time but also the overall cost. Patients want to avoid returning to the office every few years for repeated dental work on the same issues.
Implants are the most durable choice. According to an article in Healthline, the main advantage of dental implants is their longevity; they can last up to 20 years with proper care and maintenance. Implants also replace the tooth's roots, providing stability similar to that of natural roots.
Bridges have a shorter lifespan than implants but can still be effective for a decade or longer. This fixed combination of artificial teeth and crowns is not removable, and regular visits to your dentist will help monitor the bridge for any signs of wear.
Dentures are a moderately durable option and generally require replacement more frequently than implants and bridges, typically every seven to eight years. However, patients should still be able to eat most foods comfortably while wearing dentures.
How Age Affects the Replacement of Missing Teeth
Regardless of age, having functioning teeth is essential. Missing teeth can make chewing difficult, weaken oral health, and impact one’s appearance. Our team takes a person’s age into account when determining the best option for replacing missing teeth.
For example, older patients might not prioritize a solution that lasts 20 years or more. They may prefer dentures because they require less maintenance and are easier to clean.
In contrast, younger patients, who are often more active and engaged in social situations, may lean toward implants. Additionally, younger individuals are generally in better overall health, which is an important factor in determining candidacy for dental implants. Overall oral and physical health plays a crucial role in making the right choice for tooth replacement.
Selecting the Best Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
Understanding the various treatment options for replacing missing teeth is essential. Patients should assess the extent of their issues; for just a few missing teeth, a bridge or implants might be the best choice. For multiple missing teeth, partial dentures can be a suitable option, while full dentures are often used to replace an entire set of teeth.
Budgeting is also crucial. While implants are the most durable option, they can also be the most expensive. Those with tighter budgets may want to consider dentures or dental bridges as alternatives. It's important for patients to evaluate their lifestyle and determine which replacement option best meets their needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Dental Implant Terminology
Abutment
An abutment is a component that attaches to the dental implant so a professional can place a dental crown to provide patients with an artificial, aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional smile.
Bone Augmentation
Bone augmentation is the process in which a medical professional rebuilds the bone to strengthen it enough for the placement of dental implants.
Bone Density
Bone density refers to the amount of bone mineral in bone tissue.
Bridge
Multiple replacement teeth that are fixed in place via attachment to dental implants, natural adjacent teeth, or a combination of the two.
Dental Crown
A crown is an artificial tooth, usually consisting of porcelain, which covers the top of the implant to provide people with an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.
Dental Implant
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants may be an option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
Endosteal (endosseous)
Endosteal is a type of dental implant that a professional places in the alveolar and basal bone of the mandible that transcends only one cortical plate.
Eposteal (subperiosteal)
Eposteal is a type of dental implant that conforms to whichever edentulous surface of an alveolar bone is superior.
Implant-Supported Bridge
implant-supported-bridgeAn implant-supported bridge is a dental bridge that professionals fix in place with the use of dental implants inserted in the jaw to create a sturdy set of artificial teeth.
Oral Irrigator
An oral irrigator is a type of water-flosser device that uses a stream of water to clean between the teeth and improve gingival health.
Osseointegration
Osseointegration is the process in which a titanium dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone over several months after an oral health professional places the implant in the jaw.
Periodontal
Literally “around the tooth”
Removable Complete Denture
A removable complete denture is a complete denture that people can remove when necessary, at night, or to clean.
Resin Bonded Bridge
A resin bonded bridge is a dental bridge that professionals fix to the surrounding teeth with a type of resin to provide patients with a long-lasting solution.
Resorption
Resorption is the process in which the body absorbs the calcium from the jaw since there are no tooth roots to cause the necessary stimulation and proceeds to use the calcium in other areas.
Ridge Expansion
A ridge expansion involves widening the jaw for more dental implants when there is not enough space for the implants.
Transosteal (transosseous)
Transosteal is a type of dental implant that includes threaded posts which penetrate the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the jaw.