I Need Multiple Teeth Replaced, What Are My Options? At VSN Dental PC, we can replace your missing teeth in our Manalapan, NJ dental office. As a general dentist, our goal is to help you maintain excellent oral health so you do not lose your teeth. However, if your teeth are lost due to an accident, infection, or age, then you need to replace them right away in order to limit resorption. Within the first year after tooth loss, your jawbone can lose up to 25 percent of its density in that particular area. This can negatively impact the health of your jaw and remaining teeth, in addition to giving you a sunken and aged appearance. Fortunately, this is something we can help prevent in our dental office.
Schedule a Consultation
The sooner you call VSN Dental PC and schedule a consultation, the better. We can examine you, take X-rays, and make recommendations regarding which procedure is likely to work the best for your particular situation. Here are a few of the procedures that can be used to replace multiple teeth:
Dental Implants
When you visit our Manalapan dental office, it is likely that we will recommend dental implants to replace one or multiple teeth. This is because implants are the only way to permanently replace a tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium post is implanted under your gums and secured to your jawbone. Over the course of several months, your body will begin to deposit bone around the implant. This is the process of osseointegration, and it makes a dental implant as secure as your natural tooth would be, because the implant becomes your new root system. This process is incredibly good for your jawbone because it can stop the process of resorption and even strengthen your jaw. The next step is to secure dental crowns (the tooth portion of the implant) to an abutment attached to the implant itself. The new tooth will look perfectly natural and blend in with your surrounding teeth for a beautiful and natural appearance. While the process can take several months from start to finish, once done, you will never have to worry about your new teeth. Simply brush and floss like normal to take care of them, while enjoying all your favorite foods and normal activities.
Dentures
If you are looking for a non-surgical or temporary way to replace your teeth, try dentures. This is one of the oldest solutions for replacing teeth, and many seniors still use them because of the convenience factor. Dentures can replace all or some of your teeth. Partial dentures are secured in place using hooks and wire, whereas a full set is securely placed around your gums.
Dentures Secured by Implants
At VSN Dental PC, some patients have asked us about a hybrid solution. It is possible to experience the benefits of both dentures and dental implants. Some Manalapan patients are having several dental implants placed and then using these implants to secure a set of false teeth in place. These teeth are secured to a gum base, just like they would be with dentures. The difference is that they remain securely in place, allowing for more durability and functionality than you could expect from a traditional set of dentures. As a result, the procedure is a faster and less expensive way to replace all of your teeth.
Dental Bridges
If you want to replace multiple teeth but are not ready for a surgical procedure, dental bridges can be an excellent solution. At VSN Dental PC, we can create natural-looking bridges that will blend in with your natural teeth. To complete the procedure, we will need to identify two of your remaining teeth that are strong enough to support your new bridge. We will then prepare these teeth and place dental crowns around them. These crowns will serve as an anchor to hold the dental bridges in place. This is what provides dental bridges with the security of natural teeth and gives you the ability to eat your favorite foods without feeling self-conscious. The challenge is that this procedure does permanently alter some of your healthy teeth. This makes it important to carefully consider the pros and cons of using dental bridges instead of self-reliant dental implants.
When you cannot use a dental bridge because you do not have the teeth to support it, your options then become dental implants or dentures. At VSN Dental PC, we see this as a possibility when other teeth are unhealthy and there is also a possibility of them falling out. In this scenario, it would not be worth it to go through the procedure of placing a dental bridge, only to need to replace it in the near future. We will then go through the options with you. Knowing that your other teeth are weak and may be lost, you will have to decide if you want to replace multiple teeth with a partial denture and then replace all of your teeth at once, or if you want to begin the process by having dental implants placed. We can go through the pros and cons of each option with you when you visit our Manalapan dental office.
How can I tell which missing tooth replacement options are right for me?
In our Manalapan dental office, we understand the importance of choice. We know that when we see 10 people with tooth loss, each of them will have a slightly different goal and their lifestyles will be different. Things like the type of food you like to eat, whether or not you play sports, if you are outgoing and gregarious or prefer to keep to yourself can impact which tooth replacement option is right for you. This is why when you come in for a consultation, we will take time to ask questions and get to know you. Asking about your hobbies and whether or not you work out may seem out of place for a dentist, but everything works together. For example, if your hobbies involve singing in the choir, dentures may not be a good solution for you because they could pop out of place. Simultaneously, if you like to run marathons, you will need a tooth replacement solution that will not become loose with aggressive impact. After asking you questions and conducting a physical examination, we will make a recommendation as to which option we feel will work best for your lifestyle. If you are a good candidate for all of them, we will let you know that as well, so you can ask more specific questions regarding the procedures and cost involved.
Out of all of the missing tooth replacement options, which one is the most durable?
At VSN Dental PC, we can give you a well-made and durable replacement tooth, regardless of which option you select. However, if you are looking for a replacement option that looks, feels, and behaves like a natural tooth, a dental implant is the most effective. When completing this procedure, we implant a titanium post underneath the gums and secure it to the jawbone. This serves as a replacement root system. Over the course of one to several months, the titanium and bone will fuse together to create a new root system that is as strong as the original. The process of osseointegration makes it possible for us to give you a sturdy and durable tooth replacement you can count on. In our dental office, we will then attach a new tooth that has been specifically created to blend in with your surrounding teeth. An implant is the next best thing to a natural tooth. It is important to note that this is a surgical procedure, and in order to qualify, your jawbone will need to have sufficient density. As such, not everyone qualifies for the procedure. There are, however, other durable replacement solutions, such as a dental bridge.
A bridge is created by securing a dental crown to the two teeth surrounding the missing one. These crowns serve as anchors to hold a gum-colored bridge in place that a new tooth is secured to. This is the most durable, non-surgical solution you can get to replace a missing tooth, because it is firmly attached. Many of our patients prefer this as an alternative to dentures, while being less invasive than implants. During a consultation, we can explain the benefit of both options so you can determine which solution will work best for you. Additionally, if you have any restrictions, such as your remaining teeth not being healthy enough to support a bridge, we will let you know and suggest a different solution.
In some cases, dentures are an ideal way to replace missing teeth. While not as durable or sturdy as an implant or bridge, they do have their place. Dentures are an ideal immediate solution while waiting for another cosmetic procedure. Also, if you have suffered from resorption and do not have any strong, remaining teeth, they may be necessary. In this situation, modern dentistry has made it possible to wear a set of dentures that looks natural and is less likely to fall out of place.
Manalapan Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
Will my missing tooth replacement options be influenced by my age?
At VSN Dental PC, our goal is to provide you with a tooth replacement solution that is beautiful, natural-looking, and will work for your lifestyle. Age, while a factor in healthcare, has less to do with your ideal tooth replacement solution than what your lifestyle is like. For example, you could be a senior and not want to wear dentures, even though they are common. Regardless of your age, if you lead an active lifestyle, dental implants could be the best solution simply because they are the sturdiest option and will allow you to maintain all of your activities. One thing to be aware of, and this does not have to be age-related, is that when you lose a tooth, the process of resorption starts. This is when the body starts to leach calcium from your jawbone and distribute it to the rest of the body. The longer you wait to visit our Manalapan dental office and have the tooth replaced, the less bone density you will have. When you then go to replace the tooth, your options could be more limited. This makes losing a tooth an urgent matter to attend to.
We recommend that you call (732) 795-5172 and schedule an appointment with our dental office as soon as your tooth has either fallen or been knocked out. During your appointment, we will examine your gums, take X-rays, and make a recommendation as to which tooth replacement option will be best suited for your needs. Acting on this quickly will help in restoring your appearance and oral health.
Consider Your Options
Knowing that there are several ways to replace missing teeth, you can select the procedure you feel will best serve your immediate and long-term needs. Our goal is to inform and educate you so you are empowered to make the right decision for your lifestyle. If you are not ready to do so, we can always provide you with a temporary denture to wear while you decide between dental implants and dentures. What you should know is that regardless of which option you select, we will ensure that your teeth are replaced with something that looks natural and feels comfortable. At VSN Dental PC, we want you to have full use of your teeth and to feel confident in the appearance of your smile. This is all possible when you visit our Manalapan dental office to replace your missing teeth. To learn more about your options or to start the process, call (732) 795-5172 today.