Learn how restorative dentistry can help you regain confidence in your smile after experiencing tooth loss.

Tooth loss can have a big impact on your life, especially when it comes to how you feel about your smile. Thanks to advancements in restorative dentistry, the good news is that tooth loss is only a temporary setback on the journey towards a beautiful smile.

Restorative dentistry focuses on helping those with missing or damaged teeth improve the function, health, and beauty of their smiles. This is done by saving weakened natural teeth whenever possible and replacing missing teeth with a solution that best matches a patient’s needs.

A consultation with Dr. Fenn is necessary for an accurate treatment plan, but while you’re waiting for your appointment, you can get familiar with the options offered at Tory Hill Dental. There are four main procedures for teeth replacement, and in some cases, Dr. Fenn may even combine two or more techniques to get the best results possible.

Dental Implants

Dental implants consist of a surgical-grade titanium post that is placed in the jawbone, often within the socket where a tooth has been extracted. Attached to the post is an abutment serving as the foundation for where a beautiful crown will sit.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss and are considered a superior tooth replacement option. Not only is Dr. Fenn able to replicate a beautiful, natural tooth, but a fully-healed dental implant is just like a natural tooth when it comes to function (i.e. chewing). They also prevent bone loss from occurring.

Dental implants are relatively simple in design but backed by highly advanced surgical techniques with upwards of a 95% success rate for 15 to 20 years or more. The only drawback to dental implants is their relatively lengthy healing process. A typical treatment timeline is a few months between placing the implant post and finishing with a crown.

Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidates for dental implants are healthy individuals who want the most permanent, natural solution possible for their tooth loss. Candidates will also be comfortable with the long healing period knowing that the end result can last decades.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are a traditional solution for replacing multiple missing teeth with a single procedure. They are a semi-permanent solution that are coupled with dental crowns placed on the anchoring teeth on either side of the gap.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Dental bridges by Dr. Fenn are made of porcelain for an exceptionally lifelike appearance. Bridges are easily customized and placement is a breeze. They will restore the function of your teeth, though they don’t quite have the same strength as natural teeth. This means you may need to be cautious about chewing anything hard or sticky.

Dental bridges also help prevent teeth from shifting out of place and will slow bone loss, though it won’t prevent it entirely as implants do. You can expect dental bridges to last five to 15 years and require a slight change to your normal oral care routine, as cleaning around the bridge can be tricky.

Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidates for dental bridges are individuals that want a beautiful and swift fix for multiple missing teeth. Dental bridges can also be used as a temporary fix for missing teeth until dental implants or another solution can be placed.

Dentures or Partial Dentures

Dentures are a traditional solution for people missing all of their teeth. Partial dentures are also available for those who are missing most of their teeth and have large gaps which mean dental bridges aren’t feasible. When it comes to dentures, an accurate fit is everything. Dr. Fenn goes to great lengths to ensure his patients’ full and partial dentures are as comfortable and functional as possible.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Dentures and partial dentures help give the appearance of natural teeth as well as bring back function when it comes to speaking and chewing. They are minimally invasive and your custom-made set is designed and ready for you to wear quickly. Dentures help to slow bone loss and partials will help prevent the shifting of teeth similar to the way dental bridges do.

Dentures and partial dentures are temporary and will need to be removed. They also require special cleaning and often the use of adhesives to keep them in place while being worn. Dentures and partials are also not as stable as dental implants or bridges, leading to the need for some dietary changes.

Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidates for dentures or partial dentures are often older individuals who no longer have any natural teeth or whose natural teeth are worn, painful, or need to be removed. Candidates are comfortable with making the necessary dietary changes required as well as learning how to properly care for dentures.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are a fantastic alternative to traditional dentures. This option involves the placement of dental implants as anchors on which a custom-designed denture or partial is placed.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Implant-supported dentures offer the same full-mouth reconstruction advantage of dentures but with all of the benefits of dental implants. Your dentures will no longer shift around or accidentally move out of place. The dental implant anchors are just as permanent as standard dental implants, plus the connection between the implants and the dentures eliminates the need for adhesives.

Most individuals are able to chew much more comfortably with implant-supported dentures and the chances of developing sores or discomfort are eliminated. Implant-supported dentures do have the same healing period as standard dental implants.

Ideal Candidate

Ideal candidates for implant-supported dentures are individuals who need a full-mouth teeth replacement but don’t want to deal with the potential drawbacks of dentures. Candidates are aware of the healing period but are eager to experience a near-permanent solution for their smile.

Schedule your smile makeover consultation with Dr. Fenn today.

If you haven’t yet booked your consultation with Dr. Fenn, we invite you to give our office a call whenever you’re ready. During non-business hours you can either leave us a message or fill out our online appointment request form.