Missing or failing teeth can seriously affect your oral health and overall quality of life. Our entire staff at Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery believes that every patient deserves to have a beautiful smile, and the tooth replacement option that works best for you will depend on your oral health needs, your health history, and other factors.
No matter which course of treatment you choose, replacing missing teeth can help prevent many oral health problems. Even when only one tooth is missing, surrounding teeth can shift or become worn down, and the facial bone surrounding the empty tooth socket can diminish and become sunken in. Below is some information about different treatment options for tooth replacement at our practice.
Dental Implants
Features:
- Can support one or more prosthetic teeth
- Permanent, secure hold lasts a lifetime
- Look identical to natural teeth
- Prevent bone loss around teeth and jaws
Dental implants are the only tooth loss solution that permanently restores your missing teeth and preserves your oral health. Dental implants consist of three parts: a screw, a connecting abutment, and a tooth-shaped crown. The titanium screw, designed to replace your tooth’s root, is the base of the implant. The medical-grade titanium fuses with your jaw bone, creating a secure hold. The connecting abutment, which affixes the crown or bridge to the implant, is usually attached after the healing period. The crowns are custom-made by your dentist to fit your mouth perfectly.
Full-Arch Restoration
Features:
- Replaces a full upper and/or lower arch of teeth
- Permanent tooth restoration
- Beautiful full arch of teeth is restored all at once
- Prevents facial bone loss and protects oral health
Full-arch restorations provide a beautiful new set of teeth secured in the mouth permanently using an implant-supported denture. Typically four dental implants are used to support the prosthesis, but sometimes more are required. The dental implants are strategically placed for a secure hold, preventing bone loss and allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods without worrying about your denture slipping or coming out. This option is much more cost effective than replacing all of your teeth with individual dental implants.
Implant-Supported Overdenture
Features:
- Replaces many missing teeth at one time
- Uses dental implants to stabilize removable dentures
- Some protection against bone loss
- Removable denture option
Overdentures that attach to implants give patients a secure hold, allowing them to enjoy a wider variety of their favorite foods while still having a removable option. We offer multiple methods of attachment for our overdentures. Bar-retained dentures are secured to the jaw using a bar that attaches to the dental implant support system. Ball-retained dentures fit over individual ball-shaped studs connected to your dental implants. Locator abutments, magnets, and other attachment methods are also available. Any overdenture option will offer a more secure fit than traditional dentures. The best option for you will depend on your oral health situation.