Dental ImplantsAre you missing any teeth? Maybe you are missing just a single tooth, or maybe you are missing several – whatever the case, you should know that there are a variety of options for you to consider. Some people want to have their missing teeth replaced in order to build confidence in their smile. Others seek treatment for the functional benefits of having a full set of teeth once again. Regardless of your underlying motivation, Spokane Dental would be happy to assist.

In this post, we are going to outline some of the solutions available for missing teeth. Of course, the right option for your case is going to depend on a number of factors, such as the number of teeth missing, your oral health situation, personal medical history, and more. Before a specific course of action can be established, you will need to visit your dentist for an examination. Contact Spokane Dental right away to schedule an appointment.

Quick and Easy – Partial Dentures

If you would like to solve the problem of a missing tooth or teeth quickly, and you don’t want to invest a significant amount of money in the process, a partial denture is an option to consider. A partial denture is simple a denture that does not include a full set of teeth. Instead, it only features the tooth or teeth which need to be replaced. Not only is this an attractive choice for those who want to save time and money, but it is also popular among those who are intimidated by the thought of more invasive dental work. There is no surgery to be done here, so you can replace your missing teeth without undergoing the kind of dental work that makes some people nervous.

While everything sounds pretty good so far with regard to partial dentures, there are some things you need to know. For starters, this option might not provide you with the natural look that you have in mind. Every effort will be made to ensure these partial dentures look good, but they may still come up short – at least compared to some of the other options you have available. There is also the issue of stability to consider here. Dentures are known for moving around in the mouth from time to time, especially when chewing or talking.

In the end, partial dentures do have some positives to bring to the table, but there are notable drawbacks, as well. If you are determined to have something in place right away, or you don’t want to spend much money on the job, it is worth considering partial dentures. However, before you act, thinking about some of the other possibilities is a smart move.

Strong and Sturdy – Dental Implants

Essentially, dental implants live on the other end of the spectrum from partial dentures. While a partial denture is an easy solution that offers some performance drawbacks, a dental implant typically provides great performance – but it can take some time to arrive at the finish line of this process.

The idea here is to place an implant into the jaw where the missing tooth is located. Once that implant has set firmly into the bone, a crown or denture can be added on top to complete the process. With good bone health and a proper operation, it is possible that the implant will last the rest of your life. And, with such a firm foundation for your crown, you can expect this new tooth to perform almost identically to your other, original teeth.

Another benefit of opting for dental implants is the natural look that can be achieved when a tooth is created specifically for your mouth. It is common for other people not to notice your crown at all, as it will just fall into line naturally with the rest of your teeth. If the aesthetics of your smile are an important piece of the puzzle, dental implants are likely going to be your chosen option.

So, what are the negatives to consider with dental implants? For some people, the work that needs to be done is going to be seen as a drawback. This does involve surgery, and there is a recovery time associated with letting the implant set properly in your jaw. Of course, in a professional dentist’s office such as Spokane Dental, every step will be taken to make sure you are kept comfortable and relaxed during your visit. We know that dental care can be intimidating for some people, but the anxiety in advance is usually much worse than the actual experience.

It should also be mentioned that the upfront cost of dental implants is going to be significantly higher than partial dentures. However, that cost needs to be put in perspective, as this is a treatment which is potentially going to last a lifetime – and that will not be the case with a denture. Invest in a quality dental implant now and you may not need to revisit this issue in the future.

A Third Option

The last option we are going to discuss here falls somewhere between the first two in many ways. Dental bridges are an option which spans the opening in your teeth and fills that space with the necessary number of replacement teeth. A dental bridge can be supported by other teeth in the area which are still healthy, meaning you could avoid the cost and surgery associated with dental implants. However, your dental bridge will not be likely to last as long as an implant, so it could need to be replaced down the line.

You don’t have to continue living with missing teeth when so many great options are available to solve the problem. The first step is easy – contact Spokane Dental to speak with our team about the options we have available. We have a friendly staff who is always willing to speak with patient and potential patients about the treatments offered in our office. Thank you for taking the time to stop by our site!