We may never be able to completely prevent the loss of a tooth for everyone. The good news is that today’s dentistry offers a wealth of preventive measures and tooth replacement options. It also offers highly lifelike materials and techniques for tooth replacement so that patients can regain their confidence in their smiles.
If you are looking to replace a single tooth with an implant or a bridge, look no further than Dr. James Fondriest. Dr. Fondriest is one of the premier cosmetic authorities in the Midwest. He trains practitioners throughout the country on the art of cosmetic dentistry and prosthodontics. He is frequently published in many of the leading journals of dentistry.
Implant supported tooth replacements
Why would I need a tooth replacement?
There are several reasons why people lose their adult teeth. Some are unavoidable such as hypodontia, or they occur from accidental trauma sustained through sports injuries or other incidents. However, other causes of loss are avoidable; these include those cases caused by dental conditions that can easily be prevented.
Main cause of tooth loss
There are many reasons that a tooth extraction is necessary. The most common cause of permanent tooth loss is periodontal disease. It erodes the gums and jawbone structure that hold your teeth. Gum disease begins as a common condition called gingivitis. Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums are a sign that you are suffering from a mild gum infection. Many patients ignore the bleeding when they brush their teeth. This bleeding is caused by harmful oral bacteria.
Control gum disease before tooth replacement
If gum disease caused you to lose your tooth, then it must be stopped to prevent other damage. Your general dentist or a gum specialist will help you control the gum disease and to develop better habits. The same is true for other dental conditions such as tooth decay. All disease must be stopped before treatments to replace missing teeth begins.
Tooth replacement after the extraction of natural teeth
When tooth loss does occur, it can be an emotional experience for patients who must cope with a new gap in their smile. The good news is, however, that Dr. Fondriest can restore tooth loss with extremely pretty crowns supported by tooth implants. This not only improves your smile’s aesthetic appearance, but prevents some of the negative after effects of losing teeth. This would include shifting teeth or jaw bone deterioration. Long term chewing difficulties are common with tooth loss.
Though other restoration treatment options are available such as a removable tooth, our practice recommends dental implants for the strongest and most long lasting repairs. Implants, or free standing titanium posts, are placed into the area of the lost tooth root to provide a stable foundation for a implant bridge.
Dental implants are the only restoration that restore the missing tooth root as well as the crown. Just by placing an implant, the teeth on either side will be made stronger. Dental implants also prevent the loss of more teeth. This is why our practice chooses them time and again for effective and long lasting tooth replacement.
Another way to fill the gap is with a dental bridgework. Dental bridges can help you smile after tooth loss. When there isn’t room for an implant a bridge is an excellent alternative.
Dental Implant Placement: Step-by-Step
Dental Implant Placement: Step-by-StepEvaluation for treatment options
At your first appointment, your dentist will evaluate your mouth. The main goal is to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. For patients with deterioration in the jaw bone, a bone graft may be required before the implant can be placed. This is simply to ensure that the implant has a firm foundation. Good support greatly improves the chance of a successful implant treatment.
Dr. Fondriest will utilize X-rays to examine the area of your teeth and bones below the gum line. These images will help Dr. Fondriest to plan your implant/s based on your unique smile. If there are nerves or sinuses in the preferred location of an implant, then a dental fixed bridge or partial denture may be considered instead.
Placement of your implant
On the day of your implant placement procedure, an implant surgeon will create a small incision in your gum line. He will then insert the titanium implant securely into the jaw bone. One dental implant takes about one hour to place. Once placed, the opening in your gums will close over to allow the healing process to begin.
It’s important to note that dental implants require a significant healing period before the dentist can finish the tooth replacement. Usually, several months must pass before you can receive your final implant crown. This period is necessary so that a process called osseointegration can take place. Often a Maryland bridge is used temporarily during the healing phase. Dental insurance will not pay for temporary dentistry.
During this biological process, the jaw bone accepts the dental implant and grows and develops around it. This creates the second to none support that make implants a superior restoration.
Get a tooth replacement when you loose a tooth to avoid oral health issues.
Impressions for the abutment and crown
After your implant has fully integrated, an intermediate implant abutment is created. This abutment will hold the crown or bridge to the implant. To make the abutment, the dentist will take impressions or 3D images of your implant and adjacent teeth. The dentist needs to know the exact depth, angle, and relationship to the nearby teeth.
A dental lab will use these details to create a porcelain crown or bridge. Once the finished restoration is sent to our practice, Dr. Fondriest can securely fix it to the dental implant. Though your dental crown or bridge may require replacement after some time, your dental implant will typically last a lifetime.
Ask your cosmetic dentist for a tooth replacement for lost teeth
If you’re worried about a lost tooth, then speak with your dentist about how to prevent it. To learn more about how to replace lost teeth, schedule a consultation by calling Lake Forest Dental Arts in Lake Forest, IL, at 847-234-0517. We also proudly serve residents of the greater Chicago area, and across the United States.
Dr Fondriest is a Nationally recognized and highly sought after cosmetic dentist. He serves clients from throughout the United States