Precision Partials and Bridges Can Be Good Tooth Replacement Options!
If you have teeth that are damaged or missing, then you’re familiar with the challenges these may present. You may not be able to eat some of your favorite foods, many of which might be key ingredients of a nutritious diet. Missing or broken teeth may make speaking difficult in both professional and social settings. You may even be reluctant to smile. And whether you have one or more missing teeth, there may be consequences to your oral health, which range from periodontal disease to a misaligned bite. Thus, the need to replace missing teeth or repair broken teeth is significant. There are a few excellent choices to replace missing teeth including, partial dentures, bridges and dental implants. Fortunately, Dr. Julie M. Gillis and her friendly staff in Grand Junction, CO, are well-versed in the pros and cons of each option and can help you select the best option for your circumstance.
Partial Dentures Grand Junction, CO, Smiles About
Partial dentures are appropriate if you are missing some teeth, but others remain in place. A partial fits like a puzzle piece between intact teeth, and is usually held in place by clasps that attach to teeth that are adjacent to your missing teeth. A partial denture is removable and easy to keep clean. When you brush your teeth, be sure to brush your partial denture, too. Never sleep with a partial denture in your mouth. Instead, place it in a glass of water and let it soak overnight.
Bridges
A dental bridge, as the name implies, bridges the gap in your smile that missing teeth leave behind. The bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth that replaces the missing one or two teeth and two crowns that are attached to adjacent teeth with strong roots. The crowns secure your bridge in place. If the roots of these abutment teeth are not strong enough to hold a bridge, or if the tooth is damaged, then Dr. Gillis may recommend dental implants to support the bridge.
Dental Implants
Unlike partial dentures and bridges that depend on your other teeth for placement and stability, a dental implant is a stand-alone tooth replacement option. Dr. Gillis and her surgical team carefully implants a small titanium post or dental implant in the jawbone where there is a tooth missing. This implant mimics the function of a natural tooth root. As you heal from surgery, the post and bone fuse together to form a stable base. After a few months, Dr. Gillis attaches a custom-made porcelain crown to the post, and you have a new, independent tooth replacement.
Call Our Office Today
When considering bridges, dental implants or partial dentures, Grand Junction, CO, relies on Dr. Julie M. Gillis and her team for the best guidance and treatment. We serve patients from the Western Slope of Colorado, eastern Utah and Fruita, Palisade and Orchard Mesa, CO.