Treatments

REPLACEMENT OF MISSING TEETH

Missing teeth can lead to additional dental woes, but implants and bridges can restore your smile and improve your dental- and overall-health. Losing tooth not only affect your smile but can also alter your bite and weaken your jaw bones as well.

The options for replacing missing teeth are:

  • Dental implants
  • Bridges (fixed dentures)
  • Removable dentures
Dental Implants

A dental implant is a fixture (like a tooth root) that is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line to support a crown, bridge or a denture. The most commonly used material is titanium. An abutment is placed over the implant on which a crown, bridge or denture can be placed. At Root 32 we spent time with the patients educating them each and every stages of implant placement procedure. Patients are given options to choose from different implant systems followed by use of latest and best grade implants that have high success rates.

What is the procedure for implant placement?

During your first visit our doctors evaluate the area missing tooth by taking necessary 2D and 3D scans. This gives a clear picture of the amount and quality of the bone present. Based on the finding implant planning is done which include the length and width of the implant and necessity of bone augmentation.

During your second visit the implant is placed using the best equipment. Implant should be left with/without a temporary crown for 3 to 6 months for adequate bone formation (osseointegration). During your next visit healing cap is given on the implant for the gum collar to form. After 1 week of healing screw placement the implant is ready to receive the final crown. The measurement are made for the final crown and in last appointment the crown is fixed to the implant.

The different types of implant placements include
  • Single tooth implants
  • Implant supported bridge
  • Full mouth rehabilitation using implant
Advantages of dental implants
  • Implants reduce the rate of bone loss as that usually occurs after the loss of natural teeth.
  • More aesthetic and functional than any other tooth replacement options.
  • Helps to retain the integrity of the adjacent natural teeth by avoiding the trimming of them.
How painful is getting a dental implant?

While discomfort can vary between people, most individuals report getting their dental implant was much less uncomfortable than they anticipated it to be. During the surgical dental implant procedure, the dentist will give you an anesthesia, so you should feel minimal discomfort if any.

They'll use gentle techniques, and since the environment they're working in is clean, there's little risk of infection. If you follow the dentist's post-operative instructions and take the prescribed antibiotics, you should experience minimal discomfort. Your dentist will likely prescribe you pain medication as well, but many individuals don't use them.

Are dental implants safe?

Dentists have used dental implants for many years, and implant technology continues to advance. Today, dental implants are sophisticated devices that highly trained professionals put in place. They’re one of the most reliable ways to replace missing teeth

How long do dental implants last?

Dental implants can last a lifetime if you take care of them properly by regularly brushing, flossing and following your dentist’s recommendations. While your dentist can’t guarantee the lifetime success of an implant, they can provide you with suggestions and guidelines on how to take good care of your teeth. They’ll base these guidelines on:

  • Your genetic history
  • Proper hygiene procedures
  • Your nutritional habits

Following the guidelines your dentist gives you will help ensure your implant has the best chance of lasting a lifetime.

Fixed dentures (Bridge)

A bridge is a fixed teeth set that is used to replace one or more missing teeth to “bridge” the gap due to the missing teeth. The bridge can be fixed to the trimmed adjacent teeth that act as “pillars” for the bridge. The more teeth being replaced, the more natural teeth to be trimmed to give adequate support.

What happens next?

In the first visit the support teeth are trimmed or shaped to make space for the bridge. Following this the measurement will be taken and sent to the lab for the fabrication of the bridge matching the colour, shape and size of your teeth. In the second appointment, the fit and shade of the bridge is checked to see if it is as planned. Post this, the bridge will be fixed with the supporting teeth permanently using adequate fixing agent.

What are the types of bridges?
  • Full ceramic (Zirconia)
  • Metal Ceramic (PFM)
  • Full Metal

While there are these 3 types of bridges available, we at Root 32 recommend Full ceramic bridges as they have the closest semblance to the natural teeth and is also extremely strong. Metal ceramics also has aesthetic properties to an extend since it has a ceramic layer over the metal coping but they can sometimes show a dark colour due to the underlying metal and is mostly not recommended for the front teeth. Full Metal bridges are mostly out of use these days as they have no clear advantages with respect to Full ceramic or Metal ceramic bridges.

Removable Dentures

Removable dentures consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum coloured plastic base, which is sometimes connected by a metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. It is also possible to replace the full set of missing teeth using removable dentures. As the name goes, they are removable and should not be worn throughout the day as it causes irritation.

How long does removable denture last?

Removable dentures typically last for about 5 years, before which they need to be replaced. False teeth adhesives can help to keep them in place but these adhesives can be difficult to use

What are the challenges of removable dentures?

It is difficult to use removable dentures since they are not fixed firmly to you teeth or jaw. Also the tongue movements are affected and taste occur.

What are the alternatives?

Fixed dentures either tooth supported or implant supported are the better alternatives to removable dentures.