This four-part article series provides a comprehensive overview of the various technologies available for the replacement of missing and irreparably damaged or decayed teeth.

Tooth loss is a major problem that affects people of every culture, creed, color and age across the globe. But, as with most fields of medicine and science, modern advancements and constant development has evolved the technology necessary to keep up with this problem. The result is that there are a number of solutions available to those who require one or more of their natural teeth replaced. Which technology works the best? Which one lasts the longest? What are the benefits of dental implants? How do dental bridges fare in the long term? Are dentures worth considering? In this four-part article series, an experienced general, cosmetic and implant dentist in Chicago will be answering all of our questions about the different technologies used to replace missing teeth!

FAQ: What is the number one teeth replacement technology recommended by dentists and why?

Answer: “Without a doubt, dental implants are the number one recommendation of dental healthcare professionals around the world,” says the implant dentist in Chicago. “This is because implants offer benefits that are unparalleled by any other teeth replacement technology: they function better, they feel more natural and they last far longer. Dental implants also help to maintain good jawbone health, which prevents a great number of problems for patients in the long run.”

FAQ: What are dental implants and how do they work?

Answer: “Dental implants offer patients a fixed and non-removable solution to missing teeth”. “They are essentially artificial tooth roots made from titanium metal, which is exceptionally strong, durable, lightweight and non-corrodible. The implant is place in the jawbone at the site/s of the missing tooth or teeth, where it provides a stable foundation for an artificial tooth crown. This is usually custom-fabricated from ceramic materials. In the case of full arch reconstruction, an array of dental implants can be strategically placed to provide support for an acrylic dental bridge.”

FAQ: What alternatives are there to dental implants?

Answer: “Dental implants may be the most popular dental technology as far as dentists are concerned, but they aren’t the only one. Dental bridges, which consist of three connected ceramic crowns, can be used to provide Chicago residents with a replacement tooth.”(see image below for a diagrammatic representation of how bridges are placed).

“Then there are removable dentures for patients who have lost many teeth or even all of their teeth over the years. Dentures can be partials, in which case they make use of metal hooks and a patient’s remaining natural teeth to remain stabilized in the mouth, or they can be full removable dentures,” explains an implant dentist in Chicago. “These rely on their bulkiness, the underlying gums and products such as adhesive strips to prevent them from shifting about, although, full removable dentures will always move around to a degree. This is just something that denture-wearers will need to grow accustomed to.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out more information about the various teeth replacement technologies available today, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part FAQ series, courtesy of “All-On-4” dentists in Chicago.

This four-part article series provides a comprehensive overview of the various technologies available for the replacement of missing and irreparably damaged or decayed teeth.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series on the various teeth replacement technologies available today and how they compare to each other. In last week’s post, an experienced Same Day dental implants dentist in Chicago explained that:

• Age is not typically a consideration when determining whether or not a patient is a candidate for dental implants.

• The “All-On-4” dental implant protocol is not only capable of giving patients new teeth in Chicago; it also does so at a much lower cost when compared with traditional dental implant procedures. In fact, on average, the “All-On-4” is approximately $25,000 cheaper!

• The all-inclusive cost of fixed oral rehabilitation with the “All-On-4” method is (for single arch replacement) in the region of $35,000, while replacement of both sets of teeth is around $50,000.

In this article, we shall take a look at some final FAQ’s. It has been the goal of this series to provide those in need of new teeth in Chicago with more information on their various choices in teeth replacement technology.

FAQ: I've heard of Same Day dental implants in Chicago. What are they and can they really give me new teeth in one day?

Answer: “Same day dental implants, as the name implies, are able to provide Chicago residents with new teeth that can immediately be used,” explains an experienced implant dentist. “The hardware is specifically designed to be able to support a replacement artificial tooth or set of teeth without compromising the healing of the underlying jawbone. This is termed “immediate function” and enables us to send patients home with new teeth on the same day as their implant surgery.”

“In many cases, same day dental implants only support a temporary crown or bridge… but you won’t really know the difference. Once the jawbone has healed, you will be required to return to the office to have your permanent crown or bridge placed. The great thing is that patients won’t, for a single second, need to feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their smile, because they will be given new teeth immediately."

FAQ: Why replace missing teeth at all? If I’m not concerned with the way it looks, couldn't I just save myself the money altogether?

Answer: “So many patients ask this question and I’m always grateful for the chance to answer it,” says a New Teeth dentist in Chicago. “It can be tempting to ignore a missing tooth, especially if it’s right at the back of the mouth where no one can really see it. But the consequences you need to worry about don’t concern smile aesthetics… a missing tooth causes complications for the health of the adjacent teeth as well as the underlying jawbone, which needs to be stimulated in order to remain healthy.”

“By ignoring a missing tooth, the neighboring teeth become unstable and begin to shift to fill in the gap. The exposed tooth socket becomes extremely vulnerable to infection, since it acts as a natural trap for food debris and bacteria. Additionally, the jawbone can begin to atrophy and waste away, resulting in a localized drop in bone volume. This can cause the tooth roots of the adjacent teeth to become exposed, leaving them vulnerable to decay.”

“We always tell patients this: untreated tooth loss leads to further tooth loss,” same the Same Day dental implants dentist in Chicago. “So, regardless of whether a missing molar is bothering you or not, you should have it replaced and preferably with a technology that is going to mimic the function (and therefore benefits) of a natural, healthy tooth.”