Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Smiling with a missing tooth may not be a big deal for some people. On the other hand, for others, it can be an extremely embarrassing situation that’s difficult to navigate. Unfortunately, the truth about missing teeth is that they can be detrimental to your oral health. Fortunately, our Okemos cosmetic dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, shares on the blog today unsettling truths about missing teeth and what you can do to restore your bite and smile aesthetics.
Missing Tooth Replacement Benefits
Visiting the dentist when your smile is less than perfect can be unnerving. However, avoiding the dentist may complicate your oral health and create advanced conditions requiring additional time and money for treatments. Our cosmetic dentist in Lansing shares several benefits below that you can expect when you fix or replace your missing tooth.
- Restore your smile and confidence
- Repair your bite form and function
- Maintain your face’s natural shape
- Prevent teeth movement or shifting
- Correct issues with speaking or chewing
Common Tooth Replacement Options
There are several effective treatment options to replace a missing tooth and restore your smile. Some treatments provide years of performance, while others are a permanent, lifelong solution. Using state-of-the-art dental technology at our Okemos dental office, Dr. Tenaglia may use one of the restoration procedures below to replace your missing tooth, depending on your oral health needs.
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Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a restoration constructed of three or more crowns that cover the missing tooth gap by anchoring to neighboring teeth. The middle crown is a false tooth that fills the gap, resting along the gums. Also, the bridge can restore your smile’s appearance and functionality and is undetectable to others. With proper daily oral health care and regular checkups and cleanings, your dental bridge may last between 10 to 15 or more years.
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Dentures
Patients who suffer from multiple missing teeth may benefit most from dentures. Whether you need to replace a complete set of teeth or a few teeth in one location, dentures can be an effective solution for both the upper and lower jaw. Our East Lansing cosmetic dentist will take precise measurements of your mouth to ensure a customized, comfortable fit that reduces slippage. Then, we’ll create an aesthetically pleasing restoration that looks like your natural teeth so no one can tell the difference. In most cases, dentures may last between 15 to 20 years, depending on quality, use, and care.
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Dental Implants
A permanent, lifetime tooth replacement option is dental implants. Dental implants require the surgical installation of titanium posts into your jawbone. The titanium posts act as a tooth root and stimulate the jawbone to prevent deterioration. Once healed, a customized dental crown will top the titanium post to give you a bite surface and fill in the missing tooth area. Dental implants look and function similar to your natural teeth and are a discreet solution for permanently replacing a missing tooth.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Whether you’re embarrassed or not about your missing tooth, your oral health may be at risk for advanced conditions if you avoid treatment. Therefore, even though you may be self-conscious or embarrassed about visiting our cosmetic dentist in Okemos, rest assured that our staff specializes in repairing smiles, no matter how much they may be damaged. Our goal is to restore your smile and confidence with effective cosmetic treatments that suit your oral health needs. To find out more about tooth replacement options or to schedule an appointment, please call Tenaglia Smiles at (517) 347-6733 or contact us online.