Did you know that 120 million adults in the United States are missing at least one tooth and 36 million have no natural teeth at all? At Legacy Dental in Salt Lake City, we know that tooth loss is common in the United States. However, you don't have to suffer in silence. We offer a variety of options for missing teeth replacement, including:
Dental implants are ideal for many patients. For this teeth replacement option, an implant is inserted into your jawbone, which replaces the natural tooth root. It can be used to support a crown, dental bridge, or denture. If you're missing one or more teeth due to dental health issues, periodontal disease, or injury, this may be your best option.
At one time, the only options for missing teeth replacement for back teeth were dental bridges or dentures. Now, there are a few alternatives to these restorations:
An implant crown is best for replacing one or two missing teeth. An implant-supported bridge replaces multiple teeth. The number of implants required, and the length of the bridge depends on how many teeth are missing. If you're missing all of your teeth, implant-supported dentures may be your best option.
The major disadvantage of this missing tooth replacement procedure is the time commitment and the dental visits required. This will depend on your oral health and the treatment you choose. Total treatment time can be 3 to 6 months or more.
Just like other implant-supported missing tooth replacement options, implant dentures require at least two dental implants. You can get either fixed or removable implant-supported dentures.
Partial dentures, often referred to as "partials", can be used to quickly replace missing teeth, while keeping your remaining ones. The dentist will make a mold of your mouth and the partial denture will be made from that. In some cases, clasps are required to keep the partial in place.
Everyone loses their primary set of teeth- commonly referred to as "baby teeth"- as they age. However, the secondary set of teeth- known as "adult teeth"- are permanent, but there are certain conditions, health issues, and other things that can increase the risk of tooth loss. These may lead you to requiring dental implants for your patients. Â
Sometimes, the secondary set of teeth never forms because the upper and lower mandibles are malformed. This is known as tooth agenesis and can occur with certain congenital conditions. There are three types of congenitally missing teeth:
Gum disease causes spaces between teeth and gums, referred to as pockets. Over time, this can cause teeth/bones to decay and gums to recede, resulting in tooth loss.
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that causes inflammation, redness, and bleeding in the gums. With proper treatment, it can be reversed- but if left untreated, it progresses into periodontitis, which requires extensive treatment.
Trauma, such as falls, traffic accidents, sports injuries, etc, can cause tooth loss. If you experience an injury that results in tooth loss, you must seek immediate attention from a dental specialist.
There are several other dental health conditions and habits that elevate the risk of tooth loss, such as:
We offer a variety of missing tooth replacement options at Legacy Dental. Some of them require surgery, such as the implant-supported options. In some cases, you may need to have some teeth extracted due to decay or other problems. This may be as simple as requiring a local anesthetic to pull the tooth or may require sedation to remove the tooth or teeth.
If you opt for an implant-supported missing tooth replacement treatment, the dentist will cut into your gum and drill into the bone. Then, a titanium rod will be inserted into the jawbone. Then, you will be given some time to recover and for the jawbone to fuse around the implant before the crown, bridge, or denture is attached.
Typically, a local anesthetic is used. However, if you have anxiety and panic attacks when you think about visiting a dentist, you may want to ask about sedation dentistry. When you come in for your consultation, please ask about your options. We will be happy to explain them to you.
If you are in or near Salt Lake City, call us today at (385) 446-2942 or visit us online to book your appointment. We offer a free virtual dental consultation, or you can visit the office with our $69 new patient offer, which includes a full exam and x-rays. We will be more than happy to help you decide the best course of treatment for your dental needs.
We do understand that dental care is expensive and, if you're like most people, you don't really budget for it. Many times, people who don't have insurance avoid visiting the dentist for this very reason. However, at Legacy Dental, we do offer a variety of options to help you afford your dental treatment:
Payment options include:
If you are missing one or more teeth, consider scheduling your consultation with the team at Legacy Dental today. We know that missing teeth can be a problem- both aesthetically and functionally. We have several missing tooth replacement options, and we would love to help you determine which one is best for your needs.
South Salt Lake City
Millcreek
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