Sunnyvale Dentist Gives You Options for Tooth Replacement

Missing teeth do more than inhibit our ability to chew and speak with ease. As people who are dealing with gaps in their smile know, missing teeth take a huge toll on our self-confidence. When you can’t smile or laugh without feeling embarrassed, life becomes a lot less fun.

If you are missing one or more teeth, know this: excellent tooth replacement options do exist — and there’s one that’s right for you.

Dr. George T. Phillip knows how painful even a short period of time with missing teeth can be — and he wants to help you restore your smile in the way that’s best for you and your unique mouth. Dr. Phillip offers several great options in tooth replacement, including dental implants, dentures and bridges. Read on to learn more about each, and which may be best for you.

Dental Implants in Sunnyvale

Not so long ago, dental implants were an expensive and painful option for tooth replacement. But the procedure has made incredible advancements over the past decade or so, and it’s now a practical, affordable solution for getting your beautiful smile back.

Dental implants are tiny titanium posts that are surgically implanted into your jawbone. After a short recovery period in which the implants are allowed time to ossify — meaning the existing bone grows around them — your replacement teeth are bonded securely on top of your new dental implants.

Nothing replaces the tooth and the tooth’s root like dental implants. That’s a key benefit of this option, as replacing the root prevents further bone loss — and that means you’re less likely to lose more teeth down the line. And when cared for properly, dental implants can last for a lifetime.

Dentures

Much like with advances made in dental implants, dentures have also come a long way in recent years. They’re now a sturdy solution for tooth replacement that’s more customizable, comfortable and natural-looking than ever before. You have two options: removable dentures, or implant-supported dentures.

Removable dentures can be difficult to adjust to at first, but after a few weeks you’ll be eating, speaking and smiling like normal. These are made out of replacement teeth that look and feel like your natural teeth and are attached to a base that matches your gums. Removable dentures are easily removed for nighttime cleaning. As you age, your mouth will likely change shape, meaning you’ll need to get your dentures refitted periodically, too.

As a more economical solution for missing teeth, removable dentures are a good option for many,  but you should also know that dentures can be secured with dental implants — a far sturdier, longer-lasting solution.

Bridges

Bridges are another more economical solution for tooth replacement. They fill the space left by missing teeth by forming a “bridge” — attaching a crown to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges are a good option for replacing one or more missing teeth, and may be made out of metal, ceramics, glass ceramics or a combination of materials.

Consult Your Sunnyvale Dentist Today

Dr. George T. Phillip cares about restoring your smile. If you’re suffering from the loss of one or more teeth, you should know that a solution is within your reach, right here in Sunnyvale! Don’t hesitate to call your restorative dentist today — you’ll soon be on your way to a beautiful, confident smile that you’ll feel great about flashing.