Replacing Missing Teeth | Explore Your Options

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Elegant Solutions for Replacing Missing Teeth

Everyone deserves a beautiful smile and that’s why we’ve decided to share information we think is important to you. Here we’ll cover:

What are the options for replacing missing teeth?

Is it better to have a dental bridge versus an implant?

Should you replace missing teeth?

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Missing teeth lead to “edentulism,” also known as the complete loss of teeth. Dentists in Lincoln, NE often know that replacing missing teeth is often overlooked. In turn, edentulism and the effects of having no teeth can reduce a patient’s quality of life, self-image, and daily function. Even with all the improvement in dental health over the years, complete tooth loss is still a big issue. In the U.S., a lot of adults ages 65 through 74 have lost all of their teeth.

Patients with missing teeth suffer a reduced quality of life, nutritional problems, and digestive tract issues. While untreated gum disease and tooth decay are direct causes of tooth loss, the lack of dental education and exposure to fluoride play a role.

Missing Teeth = Bone Loss

The problem with tooth loss means there is bone loss. When teeth are missing, the stimulus necessary to keep the jawbone healthy disappears, and the bone itself shrinks or resorbs. Also, the transfer of pressure from traditional removable dentures through the gum tissues to the jawbone, accelerates bone loss.

Also, bone loss can be prevented by strategically placing as few as two dental implants. Dental implants that can be done with the help of a dentist in Lincoln, NE transmit biting pressures through the implants instead of directly onto the bone like the pressure from traditional dentures.

Bone preservation technique can help minimize bone loss during the tooth removal process. Bone grafting can add bone if necessary, which is bone powder from either a human or an animal. Grafting of bone is a simple procedure that acts as a matrix for the body to build and maintain its bone.

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Elegant Solutions for Missing Teeth in Lincoln, NE

Traditional removable dentures can be challenging for both the doctor and patient. A great deal of art and experience goes into their creation, and the ability to wear them comfortably takes time and practice. When made well, they can be an affordable option for restoring aesthetics with a dentist in Lincoln, NE.

For the edentulous patient, dental implants offer many advantages. They can be used to support bridges or dentures. While a traditional removable denture presses on the gums and leads to bone loss, implant dentures result in twenty times less bone loss. Learn more about implant dentures in Lincoln, NE.

Image of implants which is an excellent option for replacing missing teeth from dentist near me

An implant denture is more stable than a denture that rests on the gum tissue. Removable dentures without the support of dental implants makes it difficult for a patient to chew. Research shows that 29% of denture wearers are only able to eat soft or mashed foods. This can lead to poor nutrition and digestive tract issues. On the contrary, implant dentures function the same as natural teeth leading to an improved diet.

Learn more about implant dentures from Colgate

There is a small percentage of patients that cannot tolerate a removable denture of any kind. They tend to dislike covering the roof of their mouth. For these patients, a hybrid prosthesis, also known as an implant-supported permanent bridge, is a good alternative. This option sometimes called a permanent denture but this is not the correct description. This option should not be called a permanent denture as this option is not removable. Multiple dental implants support the permanent bridge. Thus, allowing the roof of the mouth to remain open and uncovered. This option includes the replacement of all missing teeth and added support to the face and lips. The great part is that you would have a gorgeous, elegant smile. Learn more about the Hybrid Prosthesis in Lincoln, NE.

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Preparing the Way:
Replacing Missing Teeth

One way to enhance patient’s acceptance is to fabricate transitional or immediate dentures. The fabrication of transitional dentures can be done ahead of time in anticipation of tooth loss so that at no time will you be without teeth. Also, transitional dentures facilitate the healing process, by protecting the tooth sockets after tooth extraction. There will be jawbone loss as the tissues heal, most of which occurs in the first year. Thus, you will need to reline or remake transitional dentures after 3-6 months. Learn more about solutions for missing teeth.

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Ensuring Denture Success for Patients with Missing Teeth: Our Dentists in Lincoln, NE Explain

A helpful guide for making aesthetic and functional dentures is your old teeth. Your natural or temporary set of false teeth can help you decide what features you want in your dentures. Photographs can also help in this process as they provide a glimpse of how you used to look, want to look, or how you want to change your appearance.

There are several theories on where to place each tooth in a set of dentures. The use of facial features as landmarks, and old photos can also help with this process. Several considerations are taken into account when creating dentures: How big should the teeth be and how much should show when the patient smiles? How much space is there between the upper and lower teeth at rest? The most important part of complete dentures is the patient’s bite. The upper and lower teeth must contact to allow for biting, chewing, and talking.

Image of dentures from Preserve Family Dentistry. Replacing missing teeth can be easy from dentist near me

Setting your dentures is as much an art as it is a science. The amount of gum tissue that shows when a patient talks or smiles depends on the position of the lip. Several colors and textures can be added to give the appearance of real tissue. Since there are a variety of options that will work, your dentist in Lincoln, NE will use an artistic eye to achieve your ideal smile.

Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions:

What are options for replacing missing teeth?

There are many options when it comes to replacing missing teeth. There are dental implants, fixed bridges, and partial dentures to name a few.

Ultimately, what’s best for you might not be the best for someone else and vice versa. As always, it’s a good idea to visit with your Lincoln dentist, so that together you can decide what option(s) would be most beneficial to you.

Is it better to have a dental bridge versus an implant?

A dental bridge requires placing crowns on the two adjacent teeth next to the missing tooth. A set of three crowns is placed onto the prepared teeth with a floating crown attached in the middle that rests on the tissue in the area of the missing tooth. With two natural teeth under the crowns, a bridge may not be a long-term option as these teeth are still prone to cavities and infection.

An implant is a titanium post permanently placed into the bone beneath the area of a missing tooth. A crown is then placed on the post giving it the full function and aesthetics of a natural tooth. With an implant not being a natural tooth, it cannot develop a cavity.

Should you replace missing teeth?

Our teeth really like to touch each other, so any time a tooth is taken out, the adjacent teeth will start to shift into the space. This can lead to a domino effect of other dental problems, and eventually losing more teeth. In order to keep the bite healthy and prevent problems after losing a tooth, it is a good idea to think about replacing missing teeth. Two options are implants and bridges.

An implant is the best option because it doesn’t require us to work on your adjacent teeth in order to replace the missing tooth and it should last your entire life. A bridge is another option. We can restore some chewing function and esthetics but long term, this type of restoration can fail. It also requires that we prepare the adjacent teeth on either side of the missing space for crowns.

Check out the “Which is better: Dental Implant Vs Bridge To Replace A Tooth” video.

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The information on this page was written by Dr. Anton Diy.

This gentle dentist in Lincoln, NE: “I want each patient to feel valued and respected. Your comfort is my top priority. I will make sure to always check your comfort level throughout treatment and will try hard to provide effective distraction, compassion, and gentle touch during the administration of a local anesthetic. I hope to see you in my chair and would honor the opportunity to be able to provide your dental care.”

You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist, or his partners, online 24/7 at a Preserve Family Dentistry Location near you. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Lincoln. Some of the communities include Roca, Bennet, Firth, Eagle, and Walton!