A lost tooth isn’t something you should ignore. Even if it isn’t obvious when you smile, the loss can seriously affect the teeth that remain, as well as the jawbone that once supported it. With every tooth lost, your oral health can continue to deteriorate, and replacing lost teeth with an appropriate dental prosthetic is the only way to preserve your smile. With a variety of comfortable, durable, and long-lasting replacement teeth, Dr. Stewart can help you find the right dental prosthetic to restore your smile’s beauty and function.
Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are among the oldest forms of prosthetic dentistry, and as their name suggests, they’re designed to close the gap left by a missing tooth (or more than one tooth in a row). A bridge consists of the proper number of replacement teeth, with a dental crown on either side of the bridge. The crowns are bonded to the teeth adjacent to the gap, referred to as abutment teeth, to secure the bridge in place.
Partial Denture
If you’ve lost more than one tooth, but they aren’t directly next to each other, then Dr. Stewart can custom-design a partial denture to fill in the gaps between your remaining teeth. A partial denture fits around the curve of your dental arch, and is held in place by hidden clasps to provide optimal comfort. Unlike a full denture, a partial only possess teeth where necessary to restore your full smile.
Complete Denture
Like dental bridges, conventional (or complete) dentures have been around for centuries, and perhaps longer. If you’ve lost all of your teeth on one or both dental ridges, then dentures can restore your mouth’s ability to function. A denture consists of a gum-colored plastic base that fits over your dental ridge, and is topped by a full set of replacement teeth. Traditionally, dentures are secured using special adhesives, although more people are opting to support their dentures on a series of dental implants.
Dental Implants
Unlike traditional dental prosthetics, dental implants are surgically inserted into your jawbone to replace the roots of your lost teeth. Dr. Stewart may recommend one, two, or several implants, and the prosthetic roots can be combined with a dental crown, bridge, or denture, depending on the number of teeth you’ve lost.
About Your Livonia Dentist:
James Steward, DDS, and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.