People lose their natural teeth for many reasons, including accidental trauma, oral diseases, and significant tooth decay. Whether you’re missing a single tooth or all of your teeth, you’re probably anxious to replace missing teeth permanently. Not only is this more aesthetically pleasing, it’s also better for your long-term oral health. That is because existing teeth tend to shift towards open spots and cause problems with bite and alignment. Replacement teeth also restore your speaking and chewing ability in addition to preventing your face from sagging.

Working with Our Dentists to Select the Right Type of Dental Restorations

Once you have made the decision to restore your missing teeth, it can be difficult to know the types of dentures that are right for you. If you no longer have any of your natural teeth, you will need complete dentures to restore full mouth functioning and disguise the complete tooth loss. Partial dentures are appropriate when you still have some or most of your natural teeth.

Denture types can be further classified into immediate and conventional. With immediate dentures, your dentist at Smiles of Elgin prepares your restoration in advance. This enables him to place the dentures right away after you have teeth extracted. You do need to return to have adjustments made to your dentures after your gum tissues have had more of a chance to heal. Your dentist can place conventional dentures four to six weeks after you lost your last tooth. He will provide you with a temporary restoration in the meantime.

Dental implants are replacement teeth that remain in your mouth permanently. Your dentist first installs artificial roots made of titanium and then allows several weeks to months for healing to take place. You can wear removable dentures while your wait. Once the gums and jaw have healed and your new roots have integrated with existing jaw bone, it’s time for your dentist to attach your replacement teeth.

Please schedule an appointment with Smiles of Elgin to learn more about the type of dental restoration that is right for you.