If you have one or more missing teeth and want a fuller smile, Dr. Dhara Patel offers restorative dental treatments at Best Dental Spa. Dental implants, bridges, full dentures, and partial dentures can replace one or multiple missing teeth. Treating missing teeth in our Hoffman Estates, IL office can improve the look and health of your smile.
Missing Teeth Problems
You should replace missing teeth because tooth structure is necessary to support your overall oral health. In addition, if you don’t fill the gaps left by missing teeth, multiple problems can arise, including:
- Bone loss
- Tooth decay
- Speech issues
- Crooked teeth
- Shifting teeth
- Overcrowding
- Difficulty chewing
- Facial sagging
Missing teeth can cause anxiety and embarrassment over the appearance of your smile and often make eating or speaking difficult. Dr. Patel can help you restore your confidence and quality of life with the right option to replace lost or missing teeth.
Restoring one or more missing teeth provides many benefits, including:
- Improved bite function
- Fuller, more aesthetically pleasing smile
- Reduced risk of shifting teeth
We will help you find the best method of tooth replacement for your budget, goals, and oral health. Personalized restorative care is our priority.
Restorative Treatment Options for Missing Teeth in Hoffman Estates
Due to increasing technology, tooth replacement has improved greatly in recent years. Common treatments for replacing missing teeth include dental bridges, dentures, and implants. Learn which treatment is best for you here.
Before treatment, Dr. Patel will review your budget, goals, and oral health to help you choose a treatment that works for you. Dr. Patel uses Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) for restorations involving dental implants. CBCT is integral to treatment planning and implant placement.
Dental Implants
Dr. Patel can replace single missing teeth or whole arches of teeth with dental implants to restore a beautiful, functional smile. A dental implant involves placing a tiny titanium post in the original bone pocket of the missing tooth. Then, over time, this titanium implant will bond with the bone to mimic a natural tooth and prevent bone loss.
After 3 to 6 months, Dr. Patel will cap the dental implant with a permanent abutment and dental crown. Crowns create a natural smile and appearance. With dental implants, you can eat and speak normally and comfortably, enjoying lasting dental health.
Dental Bridges
Another treatment option for replacing missing teeth is a fixed dental bridge. A bridge is a non-removable treatment we attach to the remaining natural teeth. Dr. Patel can replace one or more teeth with dental bridges.
This option can be removable, or she can secure it using dental implants. Dental bridges can also use surrounding natural teeth to secure and replace consecutive missing teeth.
With this dental prosthetic, you can prevent further tooth loss. However, it will not help retain bone in the jaw.
While a bridge is initially a lower-cost option, a dental implant can be more cost-effective in the long run. A traditional dental bridge can put you at greater risk for developing tooth decay and contribute to other dental concerns over time.
We recommend implant-supported bridges to ensure your restoration lasts. Implants also prevent the need to use natural teeth for support.
Dentures and Partials
We can replace multiple teeth or the upper and lower arches of teeth with dentures or partial dentures. Like dental bridges, dentures are removable or secured by dental implants. While removable dentures may cost less, they need rebasing and relining. Traditional dentures can also
Dr. Patel also offers All-on-Four dental implants. All-on-Four uses as few as four implants to secure an upper or lower tooth arch. Many patients also find it easier to bite and chew food with these dental restorations.
Emergency Tooth Loss
If you have just knocked out a tooth, don’t panic. Call our office for emergency dental care. At home, if you can find your lost tooth, hold it by its crown, avoiding the tooth roots. Then, gently rinse the tooth in cool water to remove any debris.
You can attempt to put the tooth back in its socket and gently bite it down. If this does not work, place the tooth in a cup of saliva. Keeping the tooth moist increases the chance that we can reattach the tooth.
If we cannot reattach the tooth, we will recommend a dental implant. The implant is the best alternative to your natural tooth because it replaces missing teeth at the root.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Learn more about missing teeth in Hoffman Estates, IL, with answers to these common questions:
What happens if you don’t replace a missing tooth?
If you do not replace a missing tooth, it can cause issues over time. In some cases, teeth may shift around the gap, causing crooked teeth. You are also more prone to many mild to severe oral health concerns, such as infections, gum disease, and oral cancer. Food and bacteria can collect in missing tooth gaps, contributing to infection.
Can I get a crown for a missing tooth?
A common option to replace a missing tooth is a crown. Crowns work to replace single or multiple teeth. They are typically used in cohesion with dental implants and are a permanent solution to missing teeth.
Are dental implants painful?
You’ll probably experience some soreness and discomfort after treatment. However, during the procedure, you are under anesthesia, so you do not feel any pain. After placing an implant, you may feel achy and tender pain in the area for a few days. We will prescribe pain medication and recommend a cold compress for swelling.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you have missing teeth and want to restore your confidence in your smile, contact Best Dental Spa at 847.660.6603. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure that treatment runs smoothly.
Call Best Dental Spa today for comprehensive missing teeth treatment. You may also schedule an appointment online. Let us know if you have lost a tooth or want to replace an old restoration. We’re here to help.
