Missing teeth can detract from appearance and chewing ability and lead to the damage and loss of other teeth. In addition, the jawbone in the area of missing teeth is lost over time. Replacing missing teeth is recommended for restoring optimum oral health.
Dental implants are changing the way people live and are one of the most important advances in modern dentistry. Implant dentistry offers a patient who is missing one, several, or all of their teeth an excellent alternative to bridges and dentures. Dental implants can provide the comfort, appearance, and function of natural teeth while helping to prevent loss of bone.
A dental implant is a small titanium cylinder that is surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone and serves as a tooth root substitute. During the healing period the jawbone fuses to the implant and anchors it in the mouth. These anchors provide a strong foundation for replacing single or multiple teeth. Once appropriate healing time has transpired, Dr. Payne creates the customized prosthetic tooth or teeth and attaches them to the implant(s), restoring tooth function.
Removable dentures fill in the space created by missing teeth and fill out your smile. They help you to properly chew food and may improve speech and prevent a sagging face by providing support for lips and cheeks. Whether you require a partial denture to replace a few teeth or a full denture to replace all of them, you will now be able to chew more easily, speak with clarity and smile with confidence again.
Bridges serve to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Unlike a denture, it is fixed to nearby teeth and is not taken in and out. Bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth when implants are not an option and when the patient does not want a removable prosthesis. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants.
