A dental implant is a great way to replace a missing tooth. They are made up of three components- post, abutment, and restoration – and very closely mimic the function of natural teeth. The first step is to secure a small titanium post in your bone in the place where the missing tooth root was. The post is allowed to heal then the abutment is placed on top. The last step is to place a dental crown on the abutment. It’s very important that you choose a skilled dentist like Dr. Schotthoefer to place the crown on the implant. Dr. Schotthoefer has had extensive esthetic training through SPEAR, a PACE and ADA certified continuing education group, to ensure implant crowns look as esthetic/natural as possible with surrounding tissues.
Unlike a bridge, you will be able to floss normally around the entire implant and no other teeth need to be crowned to hold it in place. Dental implants look and function very much like your natural teeth and with good care have the potential to last a lifetime. Dr. Schotthoefer highly recommends them as her go to for tooth replacement. They are one of the most versatile tooth replacements available, able to replace any number of missing teeth.
If you’ve lost a tooth, but aren’t ready to commit to a dental implant, then a dental bridge is your next best option. Dental bridges have been used for many years and are a common dental procedure. Because a bridge requires that a healthy tooth on either side of the gap is crowned, implants are becoming the preferred choice when possible.
Dental bridges are a series of dental crowns that span the gap left after a tooth is lost or extracted. In order to be stable, a bridge will ideally attach to your natural tooth on either side of the gap. In some cases it is necessary to attach to just one tooth if there is not a tooth on both sides of the gap. To ensure a comfortable and seamless fit, we first take impressions of the area. These will be used by experienced technicians at our dental lab who will hand-craft your restoration. Your dental bridge will be made from high-quality materials and color-matched to look natural alongside your existing teeth.
Partial dentures are customized to fit around remaining teeth and fill in gaps of missing teeth. They can be made with either a plastic or metal framework and rely on clasps to remain secure. Like complete dentures, partial dentures are removable, making hygiene maintenance easy.
Complete dentures are designed to replace an entire arch of missing or failing teeth. They’re generally made from acrylic or porcelain and rely on natural suction or adhesives to remain in place. Complete dentures are removable which makes it easy for hygiene maintenance.
Inspired Family Dental Care is a full service dental care practice for all ages. We are proudly serving the greater Grosse Pointe metro area including Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Harper Woods, St Clair Shores, and beyond! Give us a jingle and let Dr. Kristen Schotthoefer and her team help you put the confidence back in your smile.
