Dentures in Charlotte, NC When people hear the word “dentures'', their minds automatically move toward senior citizens with ill-fitting pieces of plastic. However, today dentures can mean many different types of prosthetic teeth. If you are thinking you may need a tooth extraction with a tooth replacement, you are going to need more information about all of your options, and we at Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery can help.If you have lost one or more teeth, you should know that many people are in the same boat that you are. In fact, over 75 percent of adults have lost at least one permanent tooth during their lifetime. Losing teeth can happen due to an accident or an injury. It can also happen due to tooth decay or gum disease. No matter how you lose your teeth, it’s really important to replace them. That’s because if you choose not to replace your teeth, your body looks at that empty tooth socket as an opportunity. Your body constantly recycles body parts and reuses them elsewhere. If you leave a tooth socket empty, your body will begin to remove bone from it to use elsewhere. Over time, this could change the shape of your jaw and make you look older than you really are. You Have Several Options if You Have Lost One or Several TeethFirst, you might choose to replace a single lost tooth with a dental crown. Often dental crowns are used to replace a tooth that has had a root canal procedure because of tooth decay. Because that tooth is too weak to survive without help, dentists fit a porcelain crown over the top of the tooth to protect it. If you have lost more than one tooth on one side of your mouth, you may want to opt for a dental bridge. Bridges are devices you can remove at night. They have metal ends that attach to teeth on either side of the missing tooth to hold it in place. However, many people with extensive tooth loss have been gravitating toward dental implants or dentures. With either dental implants or dentures, any remaining diseased teeth you have will undergo a tooth extraction. If you opt for dentures, you now have a lot of choices because dentures have evolved and look more like your natural teeth. Dental Implants Can HelpDental implants have revolutionized the industry. Dental implants look and act like your real teeth more than any other dental device. Dental implants, whether they involve one tooth that has been lost or several teeth, involve placing a titanium screw into your jaw to secure a prosthetic tooth. Once the area where the dentist has placed the screw heals, they put a prosthetic tooth on top of the screw. You can replace one tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth with dental implants. Best of all, implants help save your jawbone because they screw directly into your bone, so your body thinks your natural tooth is still there. No matter whether you select dentures, dental implants, or dental crowns, you want to return to your natural healthy smile as soon as possible, and prosthetic teeth allow you to do that. Are you missing some of your teeth? Embarrassed to smile, laugh, or eat in public? If so, Greater Charlotte Oral and Facial Surgery can help. Contact us today by phone at (980) 332-7990 for a consultation, and let us show you how we can give you your smile back. |
