Tooth Replacement in Cornelius, NC

What Are My Tooth Replacement Options?

Your mouth and body are connected. When your teeth and mouth are healthy, you stay healthier. Missing a tooth impacts your bite, speech, and eating habits. Without a tooth in place, you rely on your remaining teeth more which may cause them to wear out prematurely or become damaged or lost. Headaches and/or jaw pain are common. 

Missing teeth naturally leads to the deterioration of the jaw bone which impacts your health and appearance.

Approximately 25% of the supporting jawbone is lost within the first year after tooth loss.

Since bone replacement becomes more complex over time, dental implants are easier to place when teeth are extracted.

The great news? Implants act just like your natural teeth. They help maintain your bone structure, oral health, and appearance. Dr. Richard Rolle, Jr. will discuss your options and help you make an informed decision for tooth replacement.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most comfortable, permanent tooth replacement solution. With placement in the jaw, implants create a strong foundation for teeth and keep the jaw healthy. 

Implants can replace individual teeth or secure a special denture. Unlike bridges, no healthy teeth are damaged with dental implant placement and the implants can last a lifetime. Implant-supported dental restorations are attractive, stable, and comfortable.

Fixed Bridge

With a fixed bridge, the replacement teeth are in a connected set. The bridge is adhered into place on top of the teeth beside the gap from the missing teeth. The adjacent teeth must be prepared in order to attach the bridge. This is done by removing the protective outer layer of these teeth.

Flipper

A removable plastic tooth on a retainer, or “flipper,” is a temporary, inexpensive tooth replacement option.

Metal Partial

A removable partial denture made from metal and plastic is a less fragile tooth replacement option. The denture is held in place by wire clips. A removable partial denture can be taken out and inserted again by the patient.

Denture

For patients missing all of the teeth on the top or bottom jaw or on both, complete dentures are the most common replacement solution. While some patients easily adapt to wearing dentures, others find them uncomfortable due to differences in jaw size and shape.

Why Should I Choose Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?

For several reasons. A dental bridge involves removing part of the healthy adjacent teeth in order to secure the restoration. Removing a full or partial denture at night may be inconvenient for some patients. Plus, dentures may cause uncomfortable or embarrassing moments if/when they slip.

What Are Dental Implants?

A tooth has two parts, a root and a crown. Implant-supported restorations and natural teeth have the same basic parts. Both the natural tooth and the replacement have a crown, which is the visible part used to chew food, and a root, which sits under the gums and is secured in the jaw. The only difference is that the dental implant is made of titanium, a safe material that has been used for years for artificial joints. When you lose a tooth, the root is first replaced with a dental implant.

The area is given time to heal so the bone can fuse around the implant. The bone bonds with the titanium implant to create a strong, sturdy foundation for the replacement tooth. An abutment is placed to connect the crown and implant. In many cases, a temporary replacement tooth can be attached to the implant immediately after the implant placement so you have a restoration in place.

Surgical Advances

With advanced dental implant technology, Dr. Rolle is able to place single stage implants. A second procedure is not necessary to uncover the implants, but  the treatment site requires at least six weeks to heal before artificial teeth are placed. In some situations, a dental implant can be placed when the tooth is extracted to minimize the number of procedures needed.

Dental implant placement requires an oral & maxillofacial surgeon and restorative dentist. Dr. Rolle performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary.  Your dentist fits and creates the temporary and permanent restorations.

Call 704-892-9500 or Book Online to schedule an appointment