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Options for Replacing Missing or Irreparably Damaged Teeth

Dr. Mark Grucella • Feb 19, 2021

Whether it is one tooth, multiple teeth, or all teeth, there are a variety of replacement options available that restore appearance and function, allowing you to eat, drink, speak, and smile.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a popular and proven solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. It offers a secure and highly functional long-term solution e when installed and cared for properly.

How It Works

When a tooth is missing or must be removed, both the part you cannot see (the root of a tooth) and the part you can see (the crown) must be replaced. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It is a cylinder-shaped post usually made of titanium that is placed into the jawbone so that it can fuse with bone tissue. This creates a strong and secure foundation to attach an artificial crown (tooth). The crown can be custom-made to match and compliment natural teeth.

If you need to replace just one tooth, a dental implant will compliment surrounding teeth and provide a natural feel and appearance. If several or even all your teeth need replacement, dental implants are once again a great option. They can be used to support a bridge or denture containing multiple teeth.

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Dental Implant - Single Tooth

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Dental Implant - Multiple Teeth

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Dentures - Complete and Partial

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All On Four Dental Implants

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What They Offer

There are many advantages to dental implants including the following:

Natural Appearance and Function

A dental implant looks, feels, fits, and functions like a natural tooth.

Durability

A dental implant is built to last and provide a long-term solution. While a dental implant may need periodic adjustments, it can last a lifetime with proper care.

Confidence

Teeth restored with dental implants are solid and reliable. They will not slip or move when you eat, drink, talk, sneeze, cough or laugh.

Protect and Promote Healthy Bone Tissue

A dental implant is the only option to replace a missing tooth that preserves and stimulates bone tissue growth and prevents bone loss.

Taste

With dental implants, you can eat almost anything you want and fully taste and experience the food.

No Cavities

Because implants are artificial teeth, no cavities will develop.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Dental implants are an option for almost any adult regardless of age. However, you must be the right candidate.

Good Health

Both your oral health and your overall general health must be good to receive a dental implant. It is important to have a consultation with an experienced dental professional to examine and discuss your health.

Expectations

Receiving a dental implant for one tooth or multiple teeth is not a one-day procedure. After it is inserted, an implant will need time to properly adhere to the jawbone and fuse. This process can take months. Once the implant has fused with the bone, the crown (artificial tooth) can be attached to it.

Installing a dental implant is a step-by-step process. To fully understand the entire process and how it applies to your needs, it takes a conversation with a dental professional who has the appropriate qualifications and experience.

Dentures

Another option for replacing teeth is a denture. Dentures are prosthetic devices which are designed and fabricated to replace one tooth, several teeth, or an entire arch of teeth. While a denture can be secured by a dental implant, it is not completely necessary. A denture can also be affixed using other methods such as bonding or clasping.

Types of Dentures

There are two basic types of dentures - complete and partial. Complete dentures are utilized to replace a full arch of natural teeth. Whereas partial dentures are utilized when only a few teeth need to be replaced.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures can be one of two types: a conventional denture or an immediate denture.

A conventional denture is made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has started to heal. On average, a conventional denture is ready for placement in the mouth typically about 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed.

An immediate denture or same-day denture is made in advance of natural teeth being removed and can be positioned in the mouth as soon as the teeth are removed.

Immediate dentures provide the denture wearer with the convenience of not having to go without teeth during the healing period. The downside to an immediate denture is that bones and gums shrink over time, especially during the healing period following tooth removal. Therefore, immediate dentures require more adjustments to fit properly during the healing process. They should be considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be made.

Partial Dentures

A partial denture consists of artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by a framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Partial dentures are used when natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

A 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 space created by one or more missing teeth, it prevents natural teeth from changing position.

Focus Equally on Both Quality and Value

When it comes to a denture, both the quality of the denture and the overall value it offers are important. A quality denture will look natural, improve your facial features and overall appearance, and give you the confidence to smile. A poor-quality denture does not look natural and may not fit or function properly. Quality dentures provide you with the comfort you expect. Poor quality dentures can be very uncomfortable and painful.

When searching for dentures, there are also a wide range of prices advertised and some of these may be misleading. It is important to consider the overall value of a denture and not just the price. Choosing a cheap denture that is poorly made can quickly turn into a bad decision and cause you additional expense. It is also important to consider what the long-term cost will be. Some questions to ask:

What is the warranty?
How much do adjustments cost?
How quickly can a denture be repaired and at what cost?

Are Same Day Dentures Really Same Day?

As mentioned above, advertisements for Same Day Dentures or Immediate Dentures make you think that everything can be done to prepare, fit and make a set of dentures all in the same day, saving you a lot of time and return visits. However, the process usually is much more involved. When someone elects to purchase Same Day Dentures or Immediate Dentures, they are usually trying to avoid having to go without teeth for any period of time. A same day denture is made prior to extracting any teeth. Impressions and measurements are conducted over a series of dental appointments. Then, after the denture is made (which could take weeks), another dental appointment is scheduled. At this appointment, the teeth are extracted, and the same day denture is immediately inserted into the mouth. Thereby avoiding any period of time without teeth.

Unfortunately, Same Day Dentures or Immediate Dentures are temporary. In three (3) to six (6) months’ time, they usually become loose and uncomfortable. At this point, a more permanent set of dentures must be made at an additional cost.

Review and Discuss Your Options

The main thing to know is that you have many options for replacing missing or irreparably damaged teeth. Talking about these options with a dental professional will help you make the right decision that is best for you. If you would like to learn more, please contact us at your convenience by calling 330-733-7911 or request an appointment here on our website.

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Oral Health Awareness is Important Every Month of the Year!

By Dr. Mark Grucella, DDS • 26 Jul, 2023

Oral health plays a significant role in our overall health, both physical and mental. Therefore, it’s beneficial and rewarding to think about oral health every day. There are national awareness months throughout the year that focus attention on different aspects of oral health and the importance of taking care of ourselves with good practices, routines, and professional care. Here are some of the months receiving national recognition for different types of oral health topics:

Digital Dentures vs. Traditional Denture

By Dr. Mark Grucella, DDS • 08 Feb, 2023

Learn about the many advantages of digital dentures compared to a traditional denture.

Just Like Halloween, There’s Really Nothing To Fear

By Dr. Mark Grucella • 22 Oct, 2022

Halloween can understandably be a scary time of year. Afterall, when October rolls around, we start seeing the emergence of witches, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, vampires, bats, spiders, and everything else that can make the hair on the backs of our necks stand up. But then, October 31 st comes and goes, and we realize, there really wasn’t anything to fear in the first place. It was just our worries, anxieties, or the unknown running wild and getting the better of us. Time and time again, our new patients tell us how dental care can be a lot like Halloween. They have anxiety because of the unknown, or they had an unfavorable experience in the past that resulted in a reluctance to continue to seek care on a regular basis. We are proud to say we were a breath of fresh air for these patients. Once they came to us, they discovered there really wasn’t anything to fear and now look forward to each and every appointment so they can enjoy the many benefits of routine dental care. As we like to say, “Our Dental Care Does Not Scare” and here’s why: Friendly, Fun, Non-Judgmental Style of Care When patients come to one of our three Akron-Canton area dentist offices, they find a welcoming and friendly team of professionals focused only on the comfort, care, and well-being of our patients. We also like to have some fun! In addition to being dedicated dental professionals, we are sports fans who like to support our teams. When there’s a big game, you’ll see each of us wearing our favorite team’s jersey whether it’s the Guardians, Browns, and yes, even the Steelers. Holidays also provide us with great opportunities throughout the year to incorporate some fun by decorating our offices and ourselves with the applicable ornamentation. What’s really special is watching how our patients love to join in on the fun and dress up for the big games and holidays too! Informing and Empowering Our Patients Before we proceed with any type of care, we provide our patients with all the information, explanations, and answers to questions they want. Costs are also shared up-front so approval can be given and there are no surprises. We make sure our patients are always in charge of their individual care. Navigating Dental Insurance Benefits Like any type of insurance, dental benefits can get complicated. What’s covered? What’s not? Am I taking full advantage of all my dental insurance benefits? These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions by our patients. We help you navigate your dental insurance plan and understand all your benefits. No Dental Insurance, No Problem Not everyone has a dental insurance plan and the ability to minimize their out-of-pocket dental care cost. That’s why we created an in-house discount dental plan. It helps our patients who are not covered by dental insurance save on everything from cleanings and fillings to cosmetic procedures and crowns. See Why There’s Nothing To Fear While many people put off dental care because of worries or anxieties, we invite you to give us a try by scheduling an appointment at one of our three Akron-Canton area dental office locations. Please call us at 330-733-7911 or send us a request for an appointment here on our website by visiting this link: REQUEST APPOINTMENT Just like Halloween, we’re confident you are going to see there really is nothing to fear. In fact, you may just find you’ll have some fun!