Tag Archives: missing teeth

Your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts Can Restore Your Smile

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on March 12, 2024

Welcome to more comprehensive information on dental implants from your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts, where we delve into the transformative world of restoring smiles and oral health. In this blog, we’ll explore things you need to know about dental implants, including the reasons people seek out tooth replacement options to understanding the main reasons people choose dental implants. Whether you’re considering implants to replace a single tooth or seeking a full-mouth restoration solution, join us on this journey to uncover the key benefits, considerations, and insights that will empower you to make informed decisions about your dental health.

Why Would You Choose to Replace a Missing Tooth?

People seek tooth replacement options for various reasons, including:

Restore Function: Missing teeth can impair chewing and speaking abilities, making it difficult to eat certain foods or communicate clearly. Tooth replacement options such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures can restore proper function to the mouth, allowing individuals to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Preserve Oral Health: Missing teeth can lead to oral health issues such as shifting of adjacent teeth, bone loss in the jaw, and an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth replacement helps maintain proper dental alignment, support bone structure, and prevent further oral health problems.
Prevent Jawbone Loss: When a tooth is lost, the underlying jawbone can begin to deteriorate over time due to lack of stimulation from chewing forces. Dental implants mimic the function of natural tooth roots, helping preserve bone density and prevent jawbone loss.
Improve Quality of Life: Missing teeth can have a significant impact on overall quality of life, affecting social interactions, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. Tooth replacement options offer a functional and aesthetic solution that allows individuals to enjoy a full and active lifestyle without limitations.
Maintain Facial Structure: Teeth provide support to the lips, cheeks, and facial muscles, contributing to facial symmetry and structure. Missing teeth can cause changes in facial appearance, leading to a sunken or aged appearance. Tooth replacement helps maintain facial volume and restore a youthful appearance.
Aesthetic Concerns: Gaps in the smile caused by missing teeth can detract from one’s appearance and affect self-confidence. Tooth replacement options are designed to restore a natural-looking smile, enhancing facial aesthetics and boosting self-esteem.
Enhance Oral Function: Tooth loss can affect bite alignment and jaw function, leading to problems such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. Tooth replacement options aim to restore oral function and promote proper jaw alignment for improved comfort and speech.

Overall, tooth replacement options offer a range of benefits for individuals with missing teeth, helping them maintain oral health, restore function and aesthetics, and enhance their overall quality of life.

What are Your Tooth Replacement Options?

The most popular tooth replacement options include:

Dental Implants: Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement due to their durability, stability, and natural appearance. They consist of titanium posts surgically implanted into the jawbone, which serve as artificial tooth roots. These implants are topped with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures to replace missing teeth. Dental implants offer long-term benefits, including preservation of jawbone density and optimal oral function.
Dental Bridges: Dental bridges are prosthetic devices that bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. They typically consist of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. Dental bridges are fixed in place and provide a stable and functional solution for replacing missing teeth.
Dentures: Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace multiple missing teeth or an entire dental arch. They can be full dentures, replacing all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or partial dentures, replacing only a few missing teeth. Dentures are typically made of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal and are customized to fit the patient’s mouth comfortably and securely.
Implant-Supported Dentures: Implant-supported dentures combine the stability and durability of dental implants with the convenience of dentures. Dental implants are used to anchor and support the dentures, providing increased stability, comfort, and chewing efficiency compared to traditional removable dentures.
Removable Partial Dentures: Removable partial dentures are used to replace one or more missing teeth in a dental arch. They consist of artificial teeth attached to a removable metal or acrylic framework that clasps onto adjacent natural teeth for support. Removable partial dentures are a more affordable alternative to dental implants or fixed bridges.

The preference for a specific tooth replacement option often depends on factors such as the number of missing teeth, overall oral health, budget, and personal preferences. Consulting with your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts can help individuals determine the most suitable tooth replacement option based on their individual needs and circumstances.

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Tooth Replacement Game Changer: Dental Implants San Antonio
Implant Overview by The American Dental Association

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Tooth Replacement?

The preference for a tooth replacement option can vary depending on factors such as individual needs, preferences, budget, and oral health status. However, dental implants are widely considered one of the most preferred tooth replacement options by both patients and your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts.

Dental implants offer several advantages that make them popular among patients:

Durability: Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for tooth replacement, offering exceptional durability and longevity when properly cared for. With proper maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Natural Appearance: Implants closely mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth, providing a seamless and natural-looking smile. The crown attached to the implant is custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of surrounding teeth, ensuring a harmonious and aesthetic result.
Bone Preservation: Dental implants integrate with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, which helps preserve bone density and prevent bone loss in the jaw. This feature helps maintain facial structure and prevent the sunken appearance often associated with tooth loss.
Stability and Functionality: Dental implants function like natural teeth, offering stability and strength for chewing, biting, and speaking. Unlike removable dentures, implants remain firmly anchored in the jaw, providing a more comfortable and secure fit.
Convenience: Once dental implants are placed and restored with crowns, bridges, or dentures, they require minimal special care beyond regular oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits.

While dental implants are a popular choice for tooth replacement, other options such as bridges and dentures may be more suitable for certain individuals based on factors such as cost, oral health, and personal preferences. Ultimately, the best tooth replacement option depends on a thorough evaluation and discussion with Dr. Skrobanek and your Dental Implant San Antonio Experts at GPS Dental to determine the most suitable treatment plan for each individual.

We Want to be Your Dental Implants San Antonio Experts

As we conclude this exploration of dental implants, we hope you’ve gained valuable insights into the remarkable benefits they offer for restoring both function and aesthetics to your smile. Remember, investing in your oral health is an investment in your overall well-being. Whether you’re ready to take the next step towards a confident, fully restored smile or simply seeking further guidance, our Dental Implant San Antonio Experts are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how dental implants can positively transform your life.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

GPS Dental Can Restore Your Missing Tooth and Your Smile

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on July 11, 2023

If you’re missing teeth, those daily tasks can become a challenge; however, we can help you restore your missing tooth and your smile. While keeping your natural teeth is always the number one option, sometimes replacement options are needed to restore and maintain a healthy smile. We can help you decide which of our tooth replacement options, implants, dentures, or implant-supported dentures, is best for you and your smile goals.

It’s so important to our daily lives that we can smile, eat, and talk with confidence. At GPS Dental, we want to make sure our patients always have strong and healthy smiles.

Why Should You Restore Your Missing Tooth?

When one of our patients comes in with a missing tooth, they typically have questions. So, we thought we’d try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to missing tooth restoration below.

Q. Why should I replace missing teeth?

A. Our patients always realize that a missing tooth affects their appearance; however, that’s not the only reason we should discuss options to restore your missing tooth. Here are 3 main reasons:

Your appearance.
The gap left by a missing tooth can mean more strain is put on the teeth at either side.
A gap can also mean your ‘bite’ is affected, because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and change the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. This can lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.

Q. What happens if I don’t replace my missing tooth quickly?

A. When a tooth is lost, the bone that used to support it disappears quickly. This leads to:

shifting teeth
tooth trauma
periodontal disease
aging of facial features
unnatural gums around a future tooth replacement
lack of bone support for future tooth replacement

Q. How are missing teeth replaced?

A. This depends on the number of teeth missing and on where they are in your mouth. The condition of the remaining teeth also affects the decision.

There are three main ways to replace missing teeth: dental implant, bridge or dentures:

Dental Implant: an artificial root is placed into the bone of the jaw and a crown or bridge is placed on top.
Partial or Full Denture: removable false tooth (or teeth).
Implant-Supported Dentures: An implant-supported denture is an oral appliance that replaces several teeth at once. It’s similar to a traditional denture. But instead of resting on top of your gums, an implant-supported denture attaches directly to your jawbone using dental implants.

Let’s explain dental implant, dentures, and implant-supported dentures in a little more depth …

Restore Your Missing Tooth with Dental Implants

Dental implants act like artificial roots that can be permanently placed in the patient’s jawbone. As the gum tissue and bone grow around the dental implant, they become permanent anchors. A natural-looking porcelain crown will be made giving our patients a beautifully finished result that is attractive, yet helps to improve chewing, maintain bone, and prevent teeth from changing positions. Dental implants can even prevent future problems with a patient’s bite.

Dental implants offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth and an effective solution that will look and feel as natural as your original teeth.

Dental Implant Process:

Dental implants can fix multiple teeth, a single tooth, or a full set of teeth – so the options are plentiful, making dental implants a popular option for replacement. Implants require three major steps to consider and can take a series of visits to our office to fully complete the process:

Surgical implant placement
Healing from the surgical placement of the implant(s)/temporary teeth placement
Replacement of any missing teeth with crowns

While the process may sound extensive, the benefits of dental implants are many.

Dental Implant Benefits:

Look and act like natural teeth
Durable, long-lasting
Feel strong and stable
Help preserve bone tissue and bone
Allow you to brush and floss normally

Learn More about Dental Implants HERE.

Restore Your Missing Tooth with Dentures

We fit dentures to replace all or some of the teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw. Dentures improve your confidence when you smile, as well as the clarity of your speech and your ability to chew. Modern dentures provide a firm hold and natural appearance to ensure maximum comfort and function.

Partial Denture: This is a plate with one or more false teeth on it. It may be all plastic or a mixture of metal and plastic. Both types may have clips (clasps) to help keep the denture in place in your mouth. Depending on where they are, some of these clips may show when you smile or open your mouth.
Full Denture: Full dentures are a set of custom-made removable replacements for missing teeth. Usually, they require all the teeth in the upper and/or lower half of the mouth to be removed; after removal, the gums must heal over before the dentures can be fitted.

The keyword is: “REMOVABLE“ …

Unlike dental implants and implant-supported dentures, traditional partial or full dentures are removable (not permanently implanted into your mouth). We have a lot of patients who choose Dentures because they can be a quick, non-invasive, and more affordable fix to missing teeth.

If you’re experiencing tooth loss from gum disease, injury, or tooth decay, dentures can help your appearance and smile and restore your ability to speak and eat.

Learn More about Dentures HERE.

Restore Your Missing Tooth with Implant-Supported Dentures

While implant-supported dentures are like traditional dentures, the difference lies in the use of implants for retention instead of adhesive. The implant can reduce the bulkiness of traditional dentures and give more space for the tongue.

This means that the ability to taste food with implant-supported dentures will be greatly enhanced. They’re also sturdier and there’s no need for any adhesive at any time because the dentures are so well supported by the implants. This helps preserve bone, tissue, and muscle tone in the face as well to maintain a more youthful appearance.

Learn More about Implant Supported Dentures HERE.

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GPS Dental Can Restore Your Smile and Your Confidence

If you’re not sure which tooth replacement option is best to restore your missing tooth and your smile: dental implants, dentures, or implant-supported dentures, schedule your Smile Consultation appointment with Dr. Skrobanek and his expert team in San Antonio, Texas. There is not a one size fits all treatment plan when it comes to tooth replacement, after a thorough exam and a discussion about your smile goals, we will create a customized treatment plan for your individual needs to restore your smile and your confidence.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers family dentistry for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

Tooth Replacement Option: Dental Implants Can Restore Your Smile

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on February 23, 2021

Missing teeth are more than just an aesthetic problem that affects the look of your smile. Missing teeth also have a major affect on your oral health. Although there are a number of ways you can enhance your smile, dental implants are a product of great progress in the dental industry! In a nutshell, dental implants are a tooth replacement option that can replace missing teeth, restore damaged teeth, and improve your oral health.

What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

There are many advantages to dental implants as a tooth replacement option, including:

Improved appearance. Because they are designed to fuse with bone, dental implants become permanent and they look and feel like your own teeth.
Improved speech. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip. Unlike when wearing poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words.
Improved comfort. Dental implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures, because they become part of you,.
Easier eating. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain. Unlike sliding dentures that can make chewing difficult.
Improved self-esteem. Dental implants help you feel better about yourself and can give you back your smile.
Improved oral health. Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
Durability. With proper care, implants are very durable and will last many years; many implants last a lifetime.
Convenience. Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

A Permanent Solution for Missing Teeth

Dental implants are an extremely natural-looking replacement for real teeth. It can fill in any gaps where missing teeth are and restore the look, feel and function of your smile. Dental implants are also strong and long lasting. Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants integrate into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth’s root. The top four benefits of dental implants include:

The look and feel of natural teeth.
Dental implants last a lifetime.
They protect your facial bones and oral health.
They also restore your smile and your confidence!

This creates a more permanent solution to fix missing teeth. With dental implants, you’ll be able to chew, bite, and smile with confidence. However, this process does take time and doesn’t happen in one appointment.

Learn why it’s done and how HERE.

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What Can I Expect During a Dental Implant Procedure?

Now that we know the numerous benefits of dental implants, it’s important to also know how dental implant procedures work, and what you should expect. You’ll need to allow time for healing in between each step of the process, but the end results will be wonderful and worth it. Healing time also depends on how many dental implants you will be needing. During the steps, you will be given an appropriate form of anesthesia, so you don’t feel any pain or discomfort.

Learn more about the procedure HERE.

A damaged tooth is removed correctly.
Sometimes the jawbone will be strengthened with a bone graft.
Titanium screws will then be placed into the jawbone and gum tissue.
Your tissue and jawbone will bond with the implant and heal, beginning to form more tissue around the implant.
Abutments are then placed.
Crowns are placed to serve as your new, artificial teeth.
You can now enjoy your restored smile and improved oral health!

At GPS Dental, we’re experts on dental implants. If you have any questions, or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today.

Missing Tooth: Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on December 29, 2020

Are you missing more than one tooth? You may be a great candidate for dental implants! Dental implants can fill in the gaps of missing teeth, can fully restore the look and feel of your smile, and are a great way to replace teeth. Missing teeth can do more than affect the look of your smile, but cause chewing disruptions and other oral health problems. Come visit us today to talk about dental implants!

Gum disease, tooth decay, injury, or a genetic condition can all cause a missing tooth. Regardless of the cause, dentures and dental implants can replace a lost tooth or multiple teeth. Learn more tooth replacement options HERE.

Learn More about Dental Implants from WebMD HERE.

5 Signs You’re a Candidate for Dental Implants

Most people are great candidates for dental implants. There’s an estimated 125 million Americans that are missing one or more teeth, and if you’re one of them, it’s good to know if you’re eligible for a dental implant. Here are 5 signs of a good candidate.

You have good oral hygiene.
Your teeth and gums are in a good health condition.
Your jaw has good bone density for the implants.
You’re willing to stop smoking, or are a non-smoker.
You have patience for the dental implant process, as it can sometimes take a bit of time to fully complete.

Most People are Good Candidates

Your dentist will first need to determine why you’re missing teeth. Your dentist will check the gums and the health of your mouth as well. Bone health will also be checked. If you have a strong jaw, then the implant will be supported well once it’s installed. Dental implants can be used in place of bridges or dentures and can replace just one tooth, or several teeth and have many advantages, such as:

The look and feel of natural teeth.
Durability.
High success rate.
Improve overall oral health.
Improves look of the jawline and protects facial bones.

The Dental Implant Process

During dental implant surgery, a titanium post is placed into the socket of the missing tooth. The implant will heal and infuse with the bone and anchor to your jaw, making it secure. Then, once the post is bonded, a new component will be inserted and a crown will be placed to act as your new tooth.

Learn More about Dental Implants and the surgery HERE.

People at Risk

If you suffer from cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, or extreme gum disease, then you may not be a good candidate for a dental implant. These things can cause major risk factors for dental implants. However, dental implants are a case-by-case basis. Even if you’re suffering with a disease, you may still be able to get dental implants. We will work with your doctor to assess your situation and determine your candidacy.

Learn More about Dental Implants HERE.

GPS Dental Can Restore Your Smile

To find out if you’re a dental implant candidate, call 210-633-3477 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Skrobanek. Our goal, at GPS Dental, is to make sure our patients have a healthy and beautiful smile and to achieve that result, it is important that our team partners with each patient. We look forward to helping you get the smile you deserve.

Is Tooth Replacement with Dentures an Option for You?

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on July 29, 2020

Are dentures a tooth replacement option for you? Are you missing multiple teeth and wondering what dental option is best for you? Dentures are a wonderful option to restore your missing teeth and your smile. Dentures are dental appliances that replace missing teeth. They are placed in the mouth and secured by gum tissue and jawbone. Dentures can be either partial or full, depending on the number of missing teeth in the mouth.

Denture Types Explained

Talking with your dentist is the key to finding out if tooth replacement with dentures is an option for you and if so, which denture option is best for you.

Tooth Replacement with Dentures: Full Denture

A full denture will have teeth that are fixed to a plate, which then will sit over your gums and natural suction will keep it in place in the mouth. Each plate will be made with an acrylic material that is the same color as your gums, making it impossible to see the dentures when you smile. This creates an illusion of a perfect smile!

Tooth Replacement with Dentures: Partial Denture

Partial dentures are made to go around any healthy teeth that remain. They clip onto any remaining teeth and are colored to match your gums as well.

Learn All About Dentures from WebMD.

Traditional Dentures vs. Implant Dentures

If your gums are unhealthy, then dentures may not be a viable solution for you. Healthy gums are the key to having comfortable and healthy dentures.

Learn How to Clean Your Dentures.

Learn about the benefits Dentures offer HERE.

Missing teeth can affect your confidence and your smile. Start your journey to a new, healthy smile with dentures! Have questions? Give us a call today!