FAQ: All About Missing Teeth

Replace missing teeth in arlington heights il At AH Smiles, we are here for our patients when they need us the most. Dr. Brent Engelberg, your local Arlington Heights dentist, can provide tooth replacement options for patients who are missing one or more teeth. If you have recently suffered from tooth loss and are still figuring out your next move, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about missing teeth:

Why should I replace missing teeth?

Missing teeth create a variety of concerns within your smile. If you’ve had orthodontic work completed in the past, missing teeth can lead to orthodontic relapse caused by dental shifting. Your remaining teeth will try to make up for the missing tooth by shifting into its position. Additionally, missing teeth increase your risk for common dental concerns like gum disease and tooth decay. This is because missing teeth create unintended gaps within your smile that food residue and bacteria can easily hide behind. People with missing teeth may also tension headaches or jaw pain because of the additional strain a missing tooth puts on the remaining dental structures.

What are my tooth replacement options?

If you’ve suffered from tooth loss, there are several options for replacing your missing teeth. Dental bridges and dental implaants are excellent options for replacing a missing tooth. Dental bridges utilize your surrounding teeth to hold a prosthetic tooth in place of a missing tooth. Dental implants utilize the support of a surgically implanted post that provides your restoration with tooth-root functionality.  If you are missing a full arch of teeth, we may recommend the use of dentures or partials to restore your smile. Depending on your needs and goals, Dr. Engelberg can recommend which tooth replacement option is most likely to meet your needs.

Which tooth replacement option has the highest patient satisfaction rating?

Dental implants have the highest patient satisfaction rating, making them the premier tooth replacement option. While dental implants require a surgical procedure and have a longer healing time than dental bridges do, patients still love this treatment option due to the long-term benefits. Once your implant is fully healed, your restored tooth will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth do. The surgically implanted post provides tooth-root functionality, meaning you do not have to worry about the dietary restrictions or oral hygiene hazards associated with other options like dental bridges.

If you are interested in learning more about your tooth replacement options in Arlington Heights, IL, schedule a restorative dentistry consultation with Dr. Brent Engelberg. We look forward to helping you restore your smile!