Implants Archives - Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

Understanding Tooth Loss: Common Risk Factors and How to Protect Your Smile

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

No one wants to lose their teeth. Unfortunately, many people lose at least one adult tooth in a lifetime for a variety of reasons. But, seeing as it can impact both oral health and quality of life, it is helpful to understand the factors that contribute to tooth loss in order to adopt proactive strategies that help you maintain a healthy smile for years to come.

Let’s explore the common risk factors associated with tooth loss, as well as some practical tips on preventing tooth loss. We’ll also take a look at the various treatment options available at Eggert Family Dentistry to restore and replace missing teeth.

What Is Tooth Loss?

Tooth loss refers to the condition in which a person loses one or more of their natural teeth. Tooth loss can have significant effects on a person’s oral health, as well as their ability to bite, chew, and speak properly. It can also impact one’s self-esteem and overall quality of life. Treating and preventing tooth loss is important not only for maintaining a healthy smile, but also for preserving oral function and overall well-being.

Common Causes and Risk Factors of Tooth Loss

Gum Disease: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common risk factor for tooth loss. When plaque and tartar build up along the gum line, bacteria can infect the gums, leading to inflammation and loss of the supporting bony structures for the teeth, eventually causing tooth loss if left untreated.
Cavities (Tooth Decay): Untreated tooth decay can result in cavities, which, when left untreated, can progress and reach the inner layers of the tooth. Severe tooth decay can cause tooth infection or abscess, leading to tooth loss.
Teeth Grinding: The habit of grinding or clenching teeth, known as bruxism, can exert excessive pressure on the teeth, leading to enamel wear, fractures, and tooth loss over time.
Injury or Trauma: Accidents, sports injuries, or other forms of trauma to the mouth can cause immediate tooth loss, or damage that may eventually lead to tooth loss if not promptly treated.
Dry Mouth: Saliva plays an important role in neutralizing acids, remineralizing teeth, and washing away bacteria. Not having enough saliva in the mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
Diabetes: Poor blood sugar caused by uncontrolled diabetes weakens the immune system. A weak immune system will find it harder to fight off infections of the gums, accelerating gum disease and potentially leading to tooth loss.
Smoking: Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of gum disease by reducing blood flow to the gums, making smokers more susceptible to tooth loss.

How to Prevent Tooth Loss

Hygiene Habits

Make sure you brush and floss and floss your teeth regularly. That means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Additionally, make sure you’re maintaining a regular schedule of dental appointments with Eggert Family Dentistry so Dr. Jeff Eggert and Dr. Elizabeth Eggert can monitor your oral health.

Lifestyle Choices

It should come as no surprise that you need to avoid tobacco consumption in all forms if you want to have a healthy mouth. Other lifestyle changes might include wearing a night guard for bruxism, consuming fewer sugary/acidic foods and drinks, and talking to your medical doctor about treatments for diabetes or high blood pressure to make sure your overall health is being taken care of.

Protective Measures for Sports

If you or a loved one engage in any kind of contact sports, mouth guards are a must. A properly fitted mouthguard can protect your teeth from trauma and prevent tooth loss if an accident happens. Additionally, if your sport allows it, wear a helmet! [DO WE HAVE A PREVIOUS MOUTHGUARD BLOG YOU COULD LINK HERE?]

Treating Tooth Loss

Thanks to modern dentistry, tooth loss doesn’t have to be permanent! At Eggert Family Dentistry, we can recreate the look and feel of your natural teeth using implants or dentures.

Implants are anchored in the bone and they help preserve bone mass in the jaw. Once they are established, you can care for them just as you would your normal teeth, with brushing and flossing. The feel of chewing and speaking will all feel completely familiar. Implants are built to last a lifetime, and they almost always do.

Bridges use the neighboring teeth as anchors to fill in a “tooth” where the natural tooth is missing. Bridges can be a good option if the neighboring teeth also need reconstruction or if the bone isn’t healthy enough for an implant.

Dentures or Partial Dentures are another solution and can be less expensive than implants, however, they may need to be replaced multiple times in a lifetime as the shape of the jaw, mouth and adjacent teeth change over time.

Suffering from Tooth Loss?

If you’re experiencing tooth loss, booking an appointment with Eggert Family Dentistry can be the first step towards restoring your smile. With our compassionate care and expertise, Dr. Jeff Eggert or Dr. Elizabeth Eggert will evaluate your oral health and determine the best treatment options for you. Whether it’s dental implants, bridges, dentures, or other restorative solutions, we can tailor a treatment plan to meet your unique needs. Give us a call today at (651) 482-8412!

Replacing Maryland Bridges – Kate’s Story

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Kate works in the medical field and came to us as a new patient in 2019. At her new patient exam, Dr. Elizabeth noted that Kate was congenitally missing her upper lateral incisors. The lateral incisor is the small tooth next to the central, front tooth. Missing lateral incisors are most commonly caused by a condition called hypodontia, in which someone is born with missing teeth. This situation is more common than you realize. Kate had her lateral incisors replaced by “Maryland” bridges over 30 years ago and she had some issues with them staying bonded in the past. Maryland bridges aren’t used much anymore, but can be a decent way to replace teeth (temporarily) for patients that are young because over time tooth and gum changes are expected.

Kate had a bridge on her lower right side as well that came out due to the fracture of one of the abutment (anchor) teeth. After this occurred, Kate decided it was time to work on her bite since she wanted implants to replace her lower teeth and once implants are placed, it is more difficult to idealize a bite since the implants can’t be moved with orthodontics like teeth can.

What did Kate want?

Kate wanted to complete her treatment as soon as possible, but she understood that changing her bite would include orthodontic treatment. Kate worked with Dr. Brian DeVoe and had traditional brackets and wires placed. Luckily, Dr. Elizabeth was able to section Kate’s original Maryland bridges so the teeth could still be moved, but Kate would not have to go without teeth in the front during her orthodontic treatment. Kate was hoping to replace her missing teeth with implants so she would not have to use her adjacent teeth as anchors, however, due to the fact that Kate had been missing her lateral incisors her whole life, there wasn’t enough bone for implants without serious bone grafting interventions. Even with surgical interventions, Kate still only would have had a guarded prognosis for implants. Therefore, Kate decided to complete her case with conventional bridges.

What was involved?

Kate spent approximately 18 months in braces. After she completed orthodontics, Kate came to our office for the pre-planning phase for her new conventional bridges. We took impressions for a wax-up so Kate could preview her new restorations. With the wax-up, we were able to complete a mock-up in Kate’s face so she could really see how the new bridges would look. Kate also spent some time bleaching of her natural teeth so she could use a white porcelain for her new bridges. This helped to brighten her smile. One interesting thing occurred while Kate was bleaching. She had purchased bleach online from the Amazon store, but ended up with a severe ulceration of her tissues from that bleach. After reviewing techniques for healing, her tissue did heal and we were able to continue on with her treatment plan.

After Kate approved the mock-up and her gingival tissue healed, she returned to our office for the preparation of her teeth for conventional bridges. We placed temporary bridges for a couple of weeks and then the final bridges were cemented. She finished her treatment by having new orthodontic retainers fabricated.

What does Kate think?

When we asked Kate what she thought about the treatment once completed, she said that she didn’t understand everything that would go into correcting her bite and planning for new restorations. She initially thought it would be a shorter process. She was surprised at all the detail that went into the planning and the treatment. “I am just amazed at the precision and every single thing that was considered. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert’s skill and ability to do what she does truly amazes me.” When asked what she would tell someone thinking of getting this done, she said, “I would tell them to trust the process and to trust Dr. Elizabeth. It may not be the easiest to live through or it may seem long and tedious, but the end results are so worth it!” Thank you for putting your trust in us to complete your care, Kate! We love your new bright smile!

What to do When You Have Missing Teeth? – Jasmine’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Jasmine came to us in the summer of 2020 with several concerns that included advanced periodontal disease, several missing teeth, and current tooth and gum infections. She was having a lot of pain. Unfortunately, her situation was compounded due to complications from trauma that had occurred from an accident thirty years prior.

What did she want?

After several years of treatment for periodontal disease with a periodontist to try to save her natural teeth, Jasmine wondered if it was time for complete dentures. She had a friend in China with complete dentures that she liked very much. Dr. Jeff Eggert talked with Jasmine about all tooth replacement options including implant supported options as well as full traditional dentures. Jasmine noted it was important to her that she get out of pain, but she wanted her tooth replacements to be very stable and allow her to chew naturally as she was only using her front teeth now. She was very concerned about the costs involved with implant supported dentures and didn’t like the idea of full dentures slipping all over her mouth. After many discussions of the pros and cons to all treatment options, Jasmine decided that she wanted to do removable partial dentures. She felt this would be the best option for her because it would be less expensive overall and she would still have some anchorage from her remaining natural teeth. Even though Jasmine has suffered from periodontal disease, she still had a number of natural teeth to work with that could help support a partial denture.

What was involved?

Jasmine and Dr. Jeff discussed several options and decided to do both upper and lower partial dentures. Jasmine had two remaining upper teeth that were severely infected from periodontal disease. These teeth had to be removed, otherwise the new partial denture would increase the infection. The planning for Jasmine’s partial dentures was done before these teeth were extracted and on the day Jasmine underwent the final fitting for her new partial dentures, Dr. Jeff Eggert removed the two teeth. Jasmine was excited to have her new partials. She was given care instructions and guidance for inserting and removing the partial dentures on her own.

What does she think?

Jasmine was a little nervous before the procedure because she had had some poor experiences with a temporary partial denture made by one of her past dentists, but she had lost a lot of teeth and her chewing was really affected. She says that everything now is much better especially now that she can use her lower left side for chewing hard foods. She notes, “They fit in my mouth very well and feel comfortable.” She was pleased with the cost and how well the new partials look and feel. Of Dr. Jeff’s work, she notes “This clinic can do partials very well and is affordable!” Congratulations on your new partial dentures Jasmine! Thanks for putting your trust in us at Eggert Family Dentistry!

Implant Supported Dentures vs. the All-on-4 Technique: Which is Right for You?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

While traditional dentures are an effective solution for some patients, they also can come with a few downsides. Because the bony support that holds the dentures in the mouth changes over time, traditional dentures tend to move while patients eat or talk.

Luckily, when it comes to choosing dentures, our patients have more options than ever. Patients who are looking for a stronger, more tooth-like restoration solution may consider either Implant supported dentures or the All-on-4 technique.

While both of these options rely on dental implants to support the denture, these solutions have key differences as well. Below, we’ve compared each to help you decide which treatment option is right for you.

Implant Supported Dentures

What are they?

Implant supported dentures are a more stable, modern version of regular dentures. Just like traditional dentures, implant supported dentures can replace a full set of upper or lower teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, however, the dentures have much better anchorage as the implants are stabilized into the jaw bone. Usually, the denture is attached to 4-6 implants that act like tooth roots and help them stay in place.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, often made of titanium, that are surgically implanted into the jaw after a tooth has been removed. During the healing process, the implant will fuse with the jawbone, creating a permanent replacement for the missing tooth. Implants keep bone intact, therefore preventing the bone loss that’s common with traditional dentures.

The Implant supported dentures snap onto the implants, which hold them securely throughout the day. This significantly decreases denture movement, and gives them a greater biting force than traditional dentures, putting crunchy foods like apples and granola back on the table for patients with these dentures.

Who Can Get Them?

The best candidates for Implant supported dentures are patients who’ve recently lost their teeth since these patients still have better bone density to support the dental implants. The longer a patient is without teeth, the more bone loss will occur and it is difficult for implants to integrate successfully.

Patients who have been wearing traditional dentures may still be able to switch to Implant supported dentures if they haven’t yet experienced major bone loss. These patients will need to discuss their options with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert or Dr. Jeff Eggert to see if their jawbone can still support this type of denture. Occasionally, it is possible to place bone grafts to improve the chance of a successful outcome.

All-on-4 Technique

What is it?

The All-on-4® technique is a revolutionary method that offers full-arch replacement on as few as four implants. The All-on-4 technique is similar to Implant supported dentures in that it uses implants to secure the prosthesis. However, this implant technique is designed to maximize the existing jawbone and stays fixed in the mouth, which helps to make everything look and work much more like natural teeth.

Who can get them?

The best candidates for the All-on-4 technique are patients who need a full arch dental replacement option and that want the prosthetic to look and function the most like their natural teeth.

What is the procedure like?

The All-on-4 technique requires digital pre-planning so the surgery can be completed virtually first. Because of this pre-planning, the surgery goes smoothly and most often a temporary version of the prosthetic is placed onto the implants on the same day as the surgery!

What is the recovery period?

The recovery period is the same as it would be for Implant supported dentures, with the initial post-surgery recovery including 72 hours of rest, and the full recovery period lasting anywhere from 6-12 months.

Have Questions About Dentures?

If you’re still unsure whether you’re a candidate for Implant supported dentures or the All-on-4 technique, call Eggert Family Dentistry and schedule an appointment to talk with Dr. Jeff or Dr. Elizabeth Eggert about your unique dental situation. We’ll be happy to walk you through all your options and help you choose the treatment that best suits your needs. Contact us today or call us at 651.482.8412 to schedule your next appointment. We look forward to helping you have a smile you can be proud of!

Sometimes the Results are Worth the Wait – M’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

M (name omitted by request) has been a loyal patient of Eggert Family Dentistry for nearly 20 years, since even before Dr. Elizabeth’s time. In 2013, M underwent jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic (or-thog-NATH-ik) surgery, which corrects irregularities of the jaw bones and realigns the jaws and teeth to improve the way they work.

In December 2015, during a recare visit, he mentioned that he had to force his muscles to bite correctly and wondered if that was normal after jaw surgery. He also noted that his teeth were jagged and did not have a clean line. He didn’t want to think about them all the time, like when eating or when looking at himself in photos.

At that time, M decided to undergo our records process to determine how lengthening his front teeth would help improve his bite. While M’s bite was improved after his orthodontics and jaw surgery, there had been enough prior damage to the teeth and the joints that M still had some bite imbalances after he healed from his surgery.

After working up M’s case, Dr. Elizabeth determined that with six upper veneers to lengthen his front teeth and some minor equilibration to even out high spots in his bite, M should feel better about both how his teeth fit together and with how they look.

What did M want?

M wanted to get rid of the gap he saw between his lateral and canine incisors and he wanted no chips on the front teeth. He wanted a whiter and brighter smile as well without all the white lines on his natural teeth.

What was involved?

Dr. Elizabeth started the case by mocking up the new shape of the teeth on dental models. M really liked the result. We started the treatment by evening out M’s bite with equilibration. Then, impressions of his new bite were taken and sent to the dental lab so a lab wax-up could be completed. This gave us the actual blue print for his new teeth. In the interim, M underwent the Zoom In-Office Whitening procedure to brighten his teeth to the desired color for his new veneers. Soon after the whitening procedure, M came for his preparation appointment and then 2 weeks later, his veneers were carefully inserted.

What does M think?

In his final interview, M was asked how he felt about his course of treatment and his decision to complete the veneers. He said, “I was concerned about it being painful or that there were going to be a lot of appointments to complete the treatment. While there were a lot of appointments, the time went quickly and it was painless.” He is very happy with the outcome and would recommend that anyone thinking of getting veneers to just get them done! He said it was easy to have an open dialogue with Dr. Elizabeth and it was great to have a solid plan along the way.

M did say that he hasn’t had many comments on his veneers, but he’s glad about that because he wanted everything to look very natural.

M’s story is just one of many others who have experienced magnificent results with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert. Veneers can yield beautiful and predictable results for accomplishing an improved smile. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we love providing “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles” – thanks M for trusting us to help you continue to smile big and now more confidently!

Restoring Teeth with Implants: When Infections Cause the Need for Creativity. Judy’s Story.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

Judy came to her regular 6-month recare appointment and mentioned that she thought one of her front teeth was turning darker. Joanna, our hygienist, noticed an issue right away as it looked as if Judy may be developing an infection near that upper front tooth. Joanna took an x-ray and Dr. Elizabeth did some tests and it was evident that Judy had lost a lot of bone near the roots of some upper front teeth. For an unknown reason (likely a trauma that occurred long ago), Judy’s teeth had started dying, creating an infection and bone loss. Dr. Elizabeth referred Judy to the root canal specialist and Dr. Aguirre confirmed the extent of the damage with a 3-D x-ray. Dr. Aguirre agreed that the lesion was excessively large. He was not confident that root canals alone could clear the infection so recommended that Judy work with an oral surgeon to remove the teeth, the infection, place a bone graft, and hopefully implant(s).

Because Judy didn’t remember any past trauma to her teeth and because of the extent of the bone loss could render all traditional treatment options unpredictable, Dr. Elizabeth recommended Judy undergo the records process to determine all her options going forward.

What did Judy want?

Judy wanted to be able to have front teeth and she wanted to be able to predictably clear her infection. She agreed to go through the records process to learn about her options and hopefully determine if her current bite could be part of the reason for the trauma that caused her infection. It was also important to Judy to be able to eat and speak normally after her teeth were restored. She met with Dr. Wade, an oral surgeon, who agreed that two teeth should come out. He was fairly confident that the infection was confined to only two teeth. He noted a large bone graft would be needed for Judy and implants would not be able to be placed until the graft was fully integrated. He recommended Judy have a temporary denture made to replace her teeth for awhile.

What was involved?

At the records appointment, Dr. Elizabeth took photos and x-rays of Judy’s teeth and did a thorough muscle and joint evaluation. She used the information gathered at that appointment to develop possible treatment options for Judy. It was evident after the bite analysis of the records process that Judy has an anterior open bite, which means that her upper and lower front teeth don’t meet up with each other. This concerned Dr. Elizabeth the most because it meant that Judy’s bite may not adjust well to change, but we knew Judy would undergo a change because of the infection. There was also a risk that her other two front teeth (or possibly more) could eventually become infected so any plan for Judy had to allow for flexibility in the future. Dr. Elizabeth presented Judy with multiple options, including implant-based options, a tooth-based bridge option, or a long-term removable partial denture. In the end, Judy’s treatment choice could have been limited by what would be discovered during surgery, but Judy wanted to restore the missing teeth with one implant that would hold two teeth (better for gum esthetics) and she wanted to repair her bite to make her upper and lower front teeth touch. This would help with long-term functionality and predictability.

Judy had 2 teeth extracted, the infection removed, and a large bone graft placed by Dr. Wade. Dr. Elizabeth had a temporary partial denture ready to insert after surgery. In addition, Dr. Elizabeth built up the edges of Judy’s other front teeth to mimic what her final restorations would look like.

Once the bone graft was integrated, Dr. Wade went back for another surgery to place an implant for Judy. One implant was placed that would eventually hold and replace two teeth. After three additional months of healing, Dr. Wade placed a customized healing abutment to help shape the tissue for the eventual tooth restorations. Judy continued to wear her temporary partial denture during this time. Dr. Elizabeth also wanted to influence the tissue at the site for her “other tooth” so she built up Judy’s temporary partial denture to put pressure on the tissue and shape it so it would eventually look like a tooth is emerging from the tissue.

During the healing time, Judy also decided she wanted to lighten the color of her teeth so she underwent the Zoom bleaching procedure and improved her shade to 5 times brighter! Finally, Judy did the final planning with Dr. Elizabeth, completing a lab wax-up, like a blue print, for her future restorations. When the surgeon gave the “all-clear,” Dr. Elizabeth prepared Judy’s remaining upper front teeth and got impressions of the implant site so 5 restorations could be fabricated for her 6 front teeth.

What does Judy think?

Judy had a long treatment process. She notes she learned a lot as a lot went into the decision making. Judy notes “I didn’t have a choice, it was something that had to be done. It was interesting to learn more about my bite and what it would mean to have longer teeth in the end.”

Judy notes she thinks her teeth look “very nice” and is happy to be done with everything. “It was a bigger procedure than I expected, but it turned out nice in the end!”

We’re so grateful to have you as a patient, Judy – thank you for putting your trust in us! It was a pleasure to be able to use our creative thinking skills to help you through this interesting case.

Advantages of the All-on-4® Treatment

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

When our patients have many teeth that have been extracted or are severely jeopardized, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff have an advanced, convenient and very natural solution to offer. It’s called All-on-4® treatment and it’s a simple, streamlined way to restore a full arch of teeth.

What do we mean by a full arch of teeth? This refers to a full set of teeth on the upper and/or lower jaw. Full dentures have traditionally been the solution for replacing all teeth of an arch, but advances in implants have enabled improved technology such as the All-on-4® technique.

All-on-4® treatment is kind of like a hybrid between implants and dentures. Instead of replacing each tooth individually by sinking an implant, we place four (possibly more) implants. These implants serve as the anchor for a single restoration unit which is basically a series of replacement teeth all attached in a row, like dentures.

This way, you get the best of both worlds. The simplicity of installing a series of consecutive teeth at once, like a denture, is combined with the convenient permanence of implants, not to mention rock-solid anchorage like you have from your natural teeth.

This means that you don’t have to worry about your restoration falling out or slipping, as can happen with dentures. Your restored mouth will function just like it was born to do. You can eat anything you like, and you simply brush, floss and clean your teeth as you would your natural teeth (although adding a Waterpik can be helpful).

Temporary Provisional Teeth

With this type of implant technique, we can usually install a temporary set of provisional teeth on the implants on the same day they are installed. This means you will leave our oral surgeon’s office with a smile you can be proud of right away. After the jaw bone integrates to the implants securely, we’ll swap out the temporary set for an even stronger and more life-like final set and you can expect decades of low-maintenance service from your restoration.

Why Choose the All-on-4® Treatment?

The All-on-4® technique has a lot of benefits. In addition to what we mentioned above, consider these factors:

Fewer implants are required when anchoring the All-on-4®. This means less time in the dental chair, less discomfort, and lower costs.
The four implants referred to in the name of the procedure refer to two implants secured perpendicularly to the jawbone and two implants secured at a 45-degree angle. Being placed at an angle gives these second two implants greater traction, so bone grafts are not typically necessary.
Loss of teeth and the accompanying reduction of jawbone stimulation can cause bone loss. That’s why some denture wearers have a sunken appearance to their cheeks. However, dental implants stimulate bone growth which helps preserve the integrity of your jaw bone for a more youthful appearance.

The All-on-4® dental implant technique is a long-term solution that will improve your smile and your oral function for many years to come.

If you’ve been dreading getting multiple implants, maybe an All-on-4® is the solution for you! Talk to Dr. Jeff or Dr. Elizabeth about your priorities in terms of dental reconstruction. We’ll be happy to talk through all your options to ensure that you choose the treatment that best suits your needs. Call us today at 651.482.8412 to schedule your next appointment.

What Exactly Are Implants, and Should You Consider Them? Comparing Implants and Bridges

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Losing a tooth can happen to anyone. We see patients who have lost teeth for a variety of reasons, from sports injuries to gum disease from neglecting dental hygiene or from dental decay, the most common reason for tooth loss.

While it’s our top goal as your dental providers to help you keep your teeth and avert tooth loss, some teeth can’t be saved and extraction ends up being the only option. Once a tooth is extracted, each patient faces a choice of how to restore that tooth (or teeth).

There are two main fixed strategies to choose from: implants and bridges. Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff are committed to helping you understand your options thoroughly so we can help you make an informed choice. We want you to choose a restoration that meets your needs and priorities, so we’ll talk you through all your options in detail.

Here’s some useful information for anyone who is comparing the pros and cons of implants and bridges. Please reach out with any questions about how each of these restoration options will serve you.

Cost

When it comes to cost, bridges are the short-term winner. It costs slightly less to get a bridge than a comparable implant restoration. However, we also urge you to take the long view. Implants are usually “one and done” – they more often last longer. On the other hand, bridges most often have to be replaced at least once in a lifetime, maybe more often.

Speed

Bridges will be completed faster than implants. Because implants require up to six months for the bone to grow around the implant and anchor it properly, implants may require more dental visits. If minimizing your time in our chair is your top priority, you might prefer a bridge over an implant.

Initial Discomfort

An implant is a more invasive procedure, since it requires surgery to get the process started. While local anesthesia means that you won’t feel pain or discomfort during the surgery, there is a short recovery period which will include some discomfort. Usually over-the-counter pain medications are adequate during recovery, and you’ll need to eat soft foods for a day or two. Bridges only require changes to the teeth and do not require oral surgery intervention.

Function

Once your implant is complete, you’ll notice it is much like a healthy tooth of your own. You clean and care for an implant much like you would your real teeth. It can’t get cavities or tooth decay. Caring for a bridge is more complicated because the food traps underneath.

Long-Term Success

A bridge typically is supported by the two teeth adjacent of the missing tooth. This requires that those teeth be modified to accommodate the bridge, which adds extra pressure on them. This is one way that a bridge can fail, by weakening the anchor teeth. Another factor is that implants stimulate the growth of your jaw bone, maintaining a strong and solid foundation for both teeth and implants. Bridges don’t put direct pressure on your jaw bone, so they don’t stimulate that growth. This means that bone loss in the jaw may ultimately jeopardize the anchor teeth, and it may contribute to a somewhat sunken appearance of your lower cheeks.

The right choice for each patient depends on so many factors. We’re excited to have this conversation with all of our patients who have experienced tooth loss.

If you’re facing this important decision, please come and see Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff. We’ll be happy to generate a treatment plan covering both options and help you make a decision that will keep you and your mouth happy for years to come. Call us today at 651.482.8412 to get on our calendar.

Implants Versus Dentures

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Thanks to modern dentistry, loss of a tooth – or many teeth – doesn’t have to be permanent. With a small investment of time, money and skilled expertise, it’s possible to replace teeth with implants or dentures.

When our patients are facing the loss of one or more teeth, they come to us for counseling on the best path forward. We consider it part of our customer care to walk them through the options and make sure they understand the pros and cons of each option. Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff love helping our patients understand the best choice for their individual circumstances. Here’s a quick summary as a starting point.

Implants: The Pros

The best part about implants: They feel and behave like your original teeth. You care for them in a similar way, so you likely don’t need to embrace any fresh routines or invite any new bottles or tubes into your bathroom cabinet. They will prevent neighboring teeth from migrating, so they preserve your bite. Because they are anchored in the bone, they help preserve bone mass in the jaw, Once they are established, they nearly take care of themselves. The feel of chewing, the nuances of speaking, the sensation when you run your tongue along the inside of your mouth – these will all feel completely familiar. Implants are built to last a lifetime, and they almost always do.

Implants: The Cons

Dental implants can take awhile from start to finish. Typically, it’s about six months between initial surgery and final placement of the abutment and crown. There is usually some healing time of the implant which will continue to leave you toothless for awhile. If, however, the missing tooth is in the front of the mouth, we can place a temporary tooth for cosmetic reasons. Depending on your situation, implants may cost more than other options.

Dentures: The Pros

Dentures can be crafted and placed in a shorter time period than implants. They don’t usually require surgery, but sometimes bone recontouring can be necessary to get the denture to fit just right. The initial cost of dentures is lower than most implant replacement options; however, they may need to be replaced as the shape of the jaw, mouth and adjacent teeth change over time, so in the long run may end up costing more.

Dentures: The Cons

Dentures will never feel like your natural teeth. They must be removed for cleaning, and because they can trap food, cleaning is extra important. Denture wearers may have to forgo some of their old eating habits such as corn on the cob. Because they don’t help preserve bone mass in the jaw, denture wearers are likely to experience ongoing jaw bone deterioration, which may prevent them from being a candidate for implants at a later time. Subsequent bone loss may contribute to a sunken appearance of the lower cheeks.

We hope this summary helps you understand your options. We look forward to evaluating your personal situation, and helping you embark on the tooth restoration program that fits your needs. Call us today at 651-482-8412 for your exam and consultation!

Teeth Replacement Options

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Choosing the right tooth replacement method should start with an exam and a dialogue with your dentists, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff. They are happy to take the time you need to understand the variables of your available options, including dental health, overall health, how long it will last, how long it will take, and financial impact. We want to help you choose the treatment that makes the most sense for your situation and bring you the greatest satisfaction.

Replacing Teeth with Dental Implants

Dental implants consist of three components. A titanium post is fixed into the bone where a tooth was. The jaw bone grows back around the implant, holding it firmly. When the implant has integrated with the bone, an abutment is fitted on the implant, and then a crown is attached to the abutment.

Implants help keep adjacent teeth and your entire mouth more resilient to deterioration. When a tooth is lost, a few things begin to take place that may not be easily evident to the eye, but can have significant negative consequences for both health and appearance. Tooth roots not only help hold teeth in place, they are also essential in maintaining health in the adjacent gums and supporting bones.

Thus, tooth loss can cause bone loss in the jawbone. This is a problem because it can interfere with the integrity of the roots and stability of nearby teeth. This bone loss is also responsible for the “sunken” appearance of the lower cheeks which we see in people who have lost back teeth. Because this bone loss is gradual, it causes people who wear dentures to find that their dentures are increasingly hard to fit and keep in place, over time.

With an implant, bite function is fully restored to as good as new. Neighboring teeth are prevented from shifting. The jaw bone is much more stable and stays where it belongs. Additionally, implants look and feel like your own teeth, and you care for them just the same as your regular teeth. Plus, the longevity is unmatched, with them lasting many years.

The comfort, function and appearance of a dental implant explain why they have become so popular.

Replacing Teeth with All-on-4® Dental Implants

All-on-4® Dental Implants are a relatively new dental reconstruction. In a way, they are a hybrid of implants and a bridge. With this technique, four (or more) implants are placed in the jawbone and an entire arch of reconstructed upper or lower teeth are affixed to the four (or more) imlants. This is a more comfortable, stable and long-lasting option than traditional dentures. Plus, they look and feel just like “real” teeth.

Replacing Teeth with Fixed Bridges

A fixed bridge fills in the gap caused by one or more missing teeth by using surrounding teeth as anchors. A bridge can be a fairly quick way to replace teeth, but since it relies on the neighboring teeth, the integrity of these anchor teeth is reduced. Bridges can also be more difficult to keep clean than other tooth replacement options because food will trap under the “fake” teeth.

Replacing Teeth with Removable Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are able to replace one or more teeth in an arch They consist of replacement teeth attached to a plastic base and often a metal framework, which is supported by the gums and teeth. They are removed for cleaning. They are more comfortable and secure than full dentures, and usually cost less than implants or bridges.

Replacing Teeth with Full Dentures

Full dentures are an entire set of artificial lower and upper teeth, held in place by suction. They are removed for cleaning. When they’re brand new, they may feel awkward and speaking and eating might require practice. Over time, they may stop fitting properly as bone mass degrades.

To learn more about your tooth replacement options, call us at Eggert Family Dentistry, 651-482-8412.