Having a damaged smile or one that causes you pain and sensitivity is certainly not ideal; if you’re dealing with such issues, undergoing restorative dental treatment is something you may want to consider. There are many options available to you that will boost the functionality and the aesthetic of your smile, including receiving dental implants and dental bridges from your dentist in SE Calgary in McKenzie Towne.
If you’re looking to gather more information about restorative dentistry services, we encourage you to contact our dentist at South Trail Crossing Dental near you today.
Best Tooth Replacement Treatments
In many cases, when patients are looking to repair their smile, it is because they are dealing with missing teeth. Filling in such gaps in your smile is important since it prevents bone deterioration and stops your remaining teeth from shifting out of position.
Described below are some of the most popular and most effective tooth replacement strategies, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. All these treatments can be done by our dentist in SE Calgary near McKenzie Towne.
Dental Implants
Acquiring dental implants in SE Calgary near McKenzie Towne is a process that’s considered a permanent solution; if you dutifully practice good oral health habits at home and come in for regular cleanings and checkups, they’ll last a lifetime.
3 components make up a single implant: the screw, the abutment (connecting piece), and the prosthesis. Titanium is used to fabricate the screw and the abutment since it’s biocompatible and therefore won’t cause any irritation to your tissues. These two parts are surgically installed into your jawbone. As for the prosthesis, this typically comes in the form of a dental crown, which sits atop the screw and abutment. This piece physically fills in the space in your smile and helps you chew.
Pros:
- Very simple to maintain and look after.
- Stimulates your jawbone, leading to the generation and maintenance of healthy cells and tissue.
- It’s a permanent treatment.
- You can treat your implant like a real tooth.
Cons:
- The treatment requires patience and a substantial time commitment. After acquiring the screw and abutment, your mouth will need several months to heal.
- It’s can be more costly, depending on whether a bone graft in required
- Since the process involves surgery, it is invasive to a degree.
- Not everyone is eligible for this treatment; you need to have healthy gums and, most importantly, a strong jawbone.
Dentures
Depending on the degree of restoration that you need to fix your smile, dentures are another choice to keep in mind. This prosthetic is customized to fit your unique oral dimensions. It is made from acrylic (the gum base) and composite resin (prosthetic teeth).
You can acquire either partial or complete dentures in McKenzie Towne. Partial dentures are recommended for patients missing multiple teeth in a row; complete dentures, as the name illustrates, are given to patients who are missing all their teeth. Dentures can be permanently fixed in your mouth, or they can be removable.
Pros:
- Dentures are the most affordable solution for missing teeth.
- They are designed to look as natural as possible.
- No surgery is needed, and therefore you won’t have to worry about a lengthy recovery time.
- Restores your ability to eat and talk.
- Restores the shape of your face.
Cons:
- The prosthetic can shift around, especially if it’s not permanently fixed in your mouth.
- Vulnerable to damage.
- Will eventually need to be replaced.
- Dentures do not prevent bone loss or deterioration.
- You’ll need to actively take care of your dentures to keep them pristine; this includes cleaning them regularly and storing them in a safe place, so they don’t break.
Dental Bridges
A third choice available to you is obtaining dental bridges in SE Calgary near McKenzie Towne. Though there are several different kinds of bridges you can receive depending on your personal preferences and what your dentist advises, the general structure of this prosthetic is just as the name suggests, a bridge over a gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. Dental bridges consist of two parts, pontics (artificial tooth/teeth and anchor crowns. An artificial tooth is inserted into the empty space, and it’s held in place by two dental crowns which are attached to the teeth on either side of the gap to anchor it in place.
Pros:
- A dental bridge can be made of several materials, but the most popular choices are resin or porcelain since they blend in with your natural smile.
- Another more affordable alternative to dental implants.
- Simple to clean.
- Even if your jawbone has grown weak over time, no bone grafting is needed to complete this process.
Cons:
- This treatment also does not prevent bone deterioration.
- It can be tricky to floss the area around the prosthetic.
- Though it’s more affordable than implants, it is still more expensive than dentures.
- On average, patients will need to replace their bridge every 10 years or so.
Regardless of the type of treatment you’re interested in, it’s important that you book a preliminary consultation with your dentist in SE Calgary near McKenzie Towne before having any work done. They’ll thoroughly examine your oral cavity to establish an accurate image of where your oral health currently stands. Your dentist will also inquire about your dental and medical history and your habits at home. By the end of the appointment, they’ll be able to tell you the best course of action for your specific case.
Come into South Trail Crossing Dental Today!
Here at our local dental practice, our team is dedicated to helping all our patients, new and returning, restore their smiles and live comfortably. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call, visit our website, or stop by our location to speak with our staff. We can’t wait to see you soon!