While we lose our baby teeth fairly quickly and get our set of adult teeth early on, this second set is meant to last us for roughly 80% of our lives. Because of this, it’s rare for people to live out their lives without running into dental troubles at some point. Here at Implant & Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL, fixing teeth permanently is a goal we aim to accomplish with every patient who walks through our practice doors.
Fixing Teeth Permanently With Our Dental Restoration Options
Braces
This is the most well-known option for those with crooked teeth. Braces use brackets to hold your teeth in place and wires to connect the brackets. Braces work gradually to realign your teeth over time, and those suffering additional related ailments such as jaw pain and over/underbite can also experience relief through braces. Patients typically wear braces for two to three years. Patients will attend regular appointments with us to tighten the wires and make sure the teeth are being guided into the right positions.
Bridges
An excellent option for those missing a tooth entirely, the dental bridge employs the support of your two teeth on either side of the missing one. Both teeth on either side of the hole have small implants bonded to them that become supports for the artificial tooth placed in the hole. The artificial teeth used in this process are sometimes referred to as pontics. We use porcelain pontics at our practice for their ability to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your natural teeth as well as their superior durability.
Crowns
For those who have severely damaged or decayed teeth that can no longer function like normal teeth, a crown can offer a solution. Crowns are essentially caps that we place over the affected tooth to protect and preserve it. Crowns are also great at restoring your smile! If you’re missing multiple teeth in a row, you can get two crowns put on your natural teeth on either side of the gap for the bridge pontics. Crowns are also a popular option for those who have yellowed teeth that did not respond to previous whitening treatments. If you have fragile, yellow, fractured, decayed, or misshapen teeth, you’re an ideal candidate for a dental crown.
Dentures
At our practice, we’re proud of our implant-secured dentures that offer our patients the convenience of a set of pontics with the stability of bonded implants. Dentures are supposed to last long-term, and our implant dentures will last even longer thanks to the implants shielding the patient’s jaw from deteriorating over time. Dentures offer a way to completely restore the smile of patients who have dealt with past significant injuries, previous gum disease that has left the teeth fragile, or elongated tooth decay. Dentures are also an ideal choice for those missing multiple teeth, and we offer partial dentures at our office to cater to each patient’s unique situation.
Implants
Fixing teeth with implants is one of the most customizable dental restoration options available. Implants allow you to replace missing teeth in a way that matches your other teeth, fits your mouth naturally, and completes your smile. The reason implants are so versatile is that we use advanced technology to obtain 3D representations of your unique jaw and mouth structure to act as the basis for where and how to place the implant. If you currently have or want to get a set of dentures but you have one or more missing teeth, many patients in this position choose to get implants placed in the tooth sockets. This will ensure structural integrity and provide a secure way to hold your dentures in place.
Invisalign
This is considered by many to be the new and improved version of braces. Rather than taking noticeable metal brackets and connecting them to wires, Invisalign takes a more subtle approach to straightening your teeth. This method of restoration primarily uses clear plastic aligners that you place over your teeth, similar to a retainer that you would receive after having your braces taken off. When straightening your teeth with Invisalign, you’ll receive a batch of customized aligners or trays made from molds of your teeth to ensure they fit properly. Each aligner will differ slightly from the last and you’ll make your way through your set of trays while changing them out regularly. Through this process, you’ll slowly reposition your teeth over time until your teeth have been completely straightened by the final aligner.
Root Canal
If you have been noticing significant tooth sensitivity or pain in a certain area of your mouth, you may have a cavity forming. An untreated cavity can weaken not only the affected tooth but the surrounding ones as well. A root canal is a great way to preserve the structure and appearance of the tooth while removing the nerves that cause you discomfort. During a root canal, we drill an inconspicuous hole in the back of your tooth and use a root canal file to carefully remove the pulp from inside the tooth. The hole is flushed out to ensure all debris has been cleared out, and the hole is then sealed to prevent food and germs from entering the tooth. This is the best way to resolve pain and improve oral health while preserving all your natural teeth.
Whitening
For those who have concerns primarily with the appearance of their teeth, a whitening treatment is a great first option. Many of our patients start out with one of our whitening treatments as their first appointment. To ensure an even end result, we start by making impressions of your mouth to make customized trays. Once we know the molds fit your teeth perfectly, we will provide you with a specialized professional whitening solution as well as specific instructions for your unique situation. For example, we may ask you to wear the molds with the whitening solution twice daily for 30 minutes at a time.
When It Comes to Fixing Teeth, Endless Options Await You
In today’s dentistry field, there are multiple solutions to virtually every oral health problem or concern a patient can have. This means you have options to choose from, and we are always glad to assist you in finding the treatment option that works best for you. Stop by our office at Implant & Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL to set up your free consultation appointment with us!