Do you have a missing tooth that is affecting your smile? You should address missing teeth as soon as possible to avoid additional dental problems that can affect your oral health and the success of your treatment options. Without treatment, missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw and changes in your bite as adjacent teeth begin to shift position.
Dr. Doyle Freano offers several tooth replacement options for missing teeth in our Lexington, KY dental office. After a comprehensive dental exam, he will recommend the most suitable options for your dental health, cosmetic goals, and budget. We will never recommend unnecessary treatments and do our best to offer affordable dental care for all ages.
Missing Teeth Treatment Options in Lexington, KY
Missing teeth can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable experience. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available to replace your missing teeth and restore your smile. Depending on the severity of your tooth loss, you may be able to choose from dental implants, bridges, partial dentures, or full dentures.
Each treatment option has its own benefits and drawbacks that you should consider before making a decision. We will help you understand the different types of missing teeth treatment options available and the benefits they offer.
Dentures and Partials
Today’s cosmetic dentures can provide you with a natural-looking option when you have lost several or all of your teeth. Dentures can be removable or permanently secured using dental implants, also known as “all-on-four”. Whenever possible, Dr. Freano will recommend implant secured dentures because of their high rate of patient satisfaction and the benefits they offer for oral health. To learn about how our dentists can use dentures and partial dentures to replace your missing teeth, see Dentures and partials.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a removable appliance that can replace one or several lost teeth. As with dentures, a dental bridge can be removable (known as flipper teeth) or permanent using dental implants. It is a removable dental prosthetic that consists of up to 4 false teeth (or pontics) and two crowns. The dental crowns sit on either side of the pontic.
The dental bridge securely fastens to the adjacent teeth, providing stability and strength for chewing and speaking. Dental bridges can help restore your smile, improve your bite, and maintain the shape of your face. To learn more about our dental bridge services, see Dental bridge.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most desirable option for replacing missing teeth. This is because they function much like a natural tooth. A dental implant is a tiny titanium post that an oral surgeon installs into the jaw bone. It will act as a replacement tooth root to reduce bone loss and subsequent jaw shrinkage.
Dr. Freano is one of few area dentists providing full services for dental implants. For patients, this means that we preform all phases of the implant process in our newly-renovated Lexington dental office. Dr. Freano will perform a thorough examination to ensure a patient is a good candidate for dental implants or implant-secured dentures. Sufficient jaw bone is necessary for the implantation of the titanium post.
Dental implants have had an over 95% success rate among current patients, enabling them to eat and speak normally. With proper dental care, dental implants provide a permanent solution to lost teeth. To learn more about our implant dentistry, see:
- Dental Implants
- Dental Implants FAQs
- Benefits of Dental Implants
- Dental Implant Process
- Cost of Dental Implants
- Dental Implants for Multiple Teeth
- Single Tooth Dental Implant
- Dental Implants vs Dentures
Missing Teeth FAQs
Do you still have questions about missing and lost teeth?. Whether you’re considering dentures, a dental implant, or another tooth replacement option, it’s important to do your research. Get a better understanding of your choices by reading the following frequently asked questions about missing teeth.
What can dentists do to replace missing teeth?
There are many options to consider when replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are a common choice because they function and look like natural teeth. Bridges are also a popular choice because they also feel and look natural. Our patients that want a removable option that they can upgrade from later usually choose partial dentures.
What are the causes of missing teeth?
There are many factors that may play into the reasons patients may be missing teeth. The American College of Prosthetics says that there are three main categories as to why people are missing teeth. Many people are born missing some of their teeth. Missing a molar or one of wisdom teeth is actually fairly common. The second reason is due to an untreated cavity.
If a patient leaves a cavity untreated, over time the bacteria will go deeper into the tooth and gums. Gum disease is the third reason patients may be missing teeth. Gum disease attacks the jaw bone. If the damage done to the jaw bone is severe enough it may cause patients to need to have teeth removed.
Do I really need to replace a missing tooth?
Dentists highly recommend replacing missing teeth for many health reasons. For example, missing teeth can shift your bite and cause the surrounding teeth to shift, resulting in crookedness and a misaligned bite. Additionally, the remaining teeth may become more vulnerable and prone to weakened enamel, gum problems, and decay. Furthermore, your jawbone and gums may lose volume and density. Lastly, missing teeth can have a negative aesthetic impact, resulting in a sunken and aged look. For these reasons, it’s important to replace missing teeth.
Can missing teeth cause problems?
Missing teeth can cause many problems for patients who do not have them treated. When a tooth is missing your gum is exposed. This increases your risk of infection because bacteria can access your gum tissue much easier than when it was protected by your tooth. If you choose not to treat a missing tooth it may also change the shape of your face, making it slightly asymmetrical because of your bone structure changes.
What is the best option for a missing front tooth?
Dental implants are the most common choice for replacing a missing front tooth. They are the strongest, most durable option, while also aesthetically being able to blend in. We can color-match implant restorations so that they are the exact same color as your other teeth, and blend in with the overall appearance of your bite.
At what age do adults start losing teeth?
As we age many people will begin to lose teeth. Studies have shown that most adults have lost about 12 teeth by the age of 50. Between the ages of 65-74, 26% of people have lost all of their teeth. Missing teeth that are left untreated can cause a variety of health issues in adults.
Schedule a Worry-Free Dental Consultation
Our dentists at Complete Dentistry For All Ages will conduct a thorough evaluation to see which treatment best fits your needs. We can also combine multiple treatments for a smile makeover! Schedule a consultation online today, or give us a call at 859-251-3809 today.