Many Canadians deal with missing teeth. We lose our teeth for many reasons including injuries to the mouth, gum disease, or tooth decay. People may be reluctant to replace their teeth due to the expense of some procedures. But this comes with additional risks. Without teeth to support your facial structure, the shape of your jaw may begin to collapse. The teeth around the gap will shift over time, causing a misaligned bite that makes it uncomfortable to chew and speak. This will affect the appearance of your mouth area and lips.
Thankfully, there are various solutions to this issue. To learn more about your options, keep reading:
Dental Bridges in Winnipeg
A bridge utilizes the natural teeth that surround the gap to strengthen the artificial tooth. The adjacent teeth are filed down so that crowns can be placed for additional support. Then, an artificial tooth, or pontic, is placed in the gap. This option is advantageous because it looks very natural. You can brush the bridge just like your regular teeth. The crowns on the surrounding teeth improve the appearance of one’s smile significantly. A bridge also gives you a complete chewing surface to use when eating.
Winnipeg Dental Implants
This option works best for the replacement of a single missing tooth. A dental implant is installed over several appointments. To secure the implant, a titanium post is inserted into the jawbone. A temporary tooth is placed on top while the dentist waits to see if the patient’s mouth accepts the implant. Weeks later, once the site heals, the crown is installed on the post. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone whenever the patient chews, which prevents bone loss.
While this option is permanent, long-lasting, and looks natural, it’s quite expensive. It takes several weeks from the initial surgery to having the tooth installation procedure, so isn’t the best option for those who want a quick fix.
Winnipeg Dentures
Many of us had our first experience with dentures when we watched our grandparents remove their teeth and place them in a cup of water. The technology has come a long way since then; it’s now possible to get dentures that are secured by titanium screws.
Partial dentures can be used to fill in gaps from missing teeth, while full dentures can replace entire rows of teeth. With removable dentures, the artificial teeth are attached to a pink resin base designed to blend in with the gums of your mouth. Implant-supported dentures use posts to secure the artificial teeth in place; the bottom jaw takes 4 screws, while the upper one requires 6.
Removable dentures are the more affordable option. It takes some time for patients to adjust to speaking and eating with dentures. They need to be cleaned regularly and taken out at night.
If you’re seeking oral surgery in Winnipeg, you want to make sure that your dental health concerns are in the hands of professionals. At EK Dental, we have the training and experience with extractions and dental implants. For more details about the oral surgeries offered at our office, visit our website.