Discussing Your Options For Tooth Replacement

El Paso, TX, dentist offers dental bridges and dentures

Are you experiencing tooth loss? This concern can affect more than just the appearance of your smile. It can make it difficult to chew certain foods, speak comfortably, and may even cause your jawbone to deteriorate. To help combat these issues, your team at Sunny Smiles can help you receive a prosthetic replacement. These options could include a dental bridge or dentures depending on your specific needs.

Don’t Ignore Tooth Loss

This issue affects millions of patients and can occur due to a variety of reasons including genetics, traumatic injuries, periodontal disease, and more. Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss for patients today. This happens due to poor oral hygiene, so be sure to take proper care of your pearly whites with a consistent routine and regular checkups.

If the gaps in your smile are left untreated, your other teeth may begin to shift out of place which can cause alignment issues. Depending on which structure has been lost, it can be difficult to chew certain foods or speak. This can interrupt your quality of life and may make you feel self-conscious. Regardless of how this has occurred, it is important to address tooth loss as soon as possible.

Determining The Best Option For Your Needs

All patients have their own unique needs, and it is important that your prosthetic replacement matches these. If you are experiencing several lost teeth in the same area, a dental bridge may be the preferred option. This is a fixed replacement that can replace up to three of your dental structures in a row. A bridge can give you a boost of confidence by giving you a complete smile, improve your chewing and speaking ability, and blend in naturally with your other pearly whites.

Dentures are another helpful option available for patients. These can come as a partial or complete set depending on your needs. There are a few differences between this option and a bridge. First, dentures are typically removable unless they are retained by implants. This is a great option for patients who do not have teeth or jaws strong enough to withstand a fixed prosthetic. Dentures may be more suitable for patients who are experiencing more severe tooth loss throughout their entire smile.

Receiving Your Prosthetic

You will first need a consultation with your dentist to assess the severity of your loss and take measurements of your oral cavity. These will be sent to a lab to create either your bridge or dentures. The prosthetic will be made to look lifelike and blend in naturally with your smile. When it is ready, your dentist will check to make sure it fits correctly. They will also show you how to properly care for your new teeth.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you have any questions or would like to get started with this process, call Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, today at 915.759.7000.