Teeth can be missing because of many reasons, such as due to dental decay, destruction of connective tissue or trauma. Congenitally missing teeth are not very rare, either. Prosthetic dentistry means the replacement of missing teeth, soft tissues or all teeth through a variety of artificial methods.
A removable partial denture or bridge usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is sometimes connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw. A fixed bridge replaces one or more teeth by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space and attaching artificial teeth to them. This “bridge” is then cemented into place. Not only does a partial denture fill in the spaces created by missing teeth, it prevents other teeth from changing position. A precision partial denture is removable and has internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to the gums.
Complete dentures can be either “conventional” or “immediate.” Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.
A bridge may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. As your dentist in Logan, Dr. Tawzer can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
Our Cosmetic Dental procedures improve the shape, size, surface or alignment of your teeth, gums, or bone through our expertise in smile design.
Our Restorative Dental procedures like root canals, crowns and fillings help you recover from missing teeth or from lost tooth structure.
Our preventive services like cleanings, exams, x-rays, and sealants will help you maintain the smile you deserve for a very long time.
We are experts in prosthetic procedures for those who have lost teeth and need dentures, bridges or implants.
As the top provider of dental implants in Logan, UT and Cache Valley, we can evaluate your condition and let you know whether implants are right for you.
Dental extraction procedures are needed when a tooth is beyond repair. This is often due to major gum disease, infection, risk of infections, crowding, or fractured teeth.
Invisalign is the clear way to straighten teeth without braces, using virtually invisible aligners, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.
