Tag Archives: tooth replacement options

Dental Implant: 5 Facts About this Tooth Replacement Option

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on June 23, 2020

 

A dental implant can do wonders for your smile, especially if you are self-conscious about any missing teeth.

Dental Implant: Overview

Simply put, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed into your jaw to hold an implant (replacement tooth or bridge). The implant will match the surrounding teeth and blend into your smile seamlessly. 

Read more HERE about Dental Implant Procedure Information.

Dental Implant: The Facts

If you’re curious about dental implants as a tooth replacement option, these 5 facts will help you understand more about this procedure, including a bit of history you’ve probably never heard before. 

  1. Ancient Implants. Dental implants as we know them today were first invented back in 1952 by Swedish orthopedic surgeon, Per-Ingvar Branemark. However, historians have been able to trace dental implants all the way back to 600 AD. Ancient Mayans would hammer shells into their mouths as replacement teeth. Clearly, these ancient dental implants are nothing like the implants we are familiar with now – thank goodness!! Check out our previous blog, The Evolution of Dental Implants as Tooth Replacements. Today, in fact, dental implants are one of the most common and safest procedures in dentistry. It’s a dentistry marvel! 
  2. Tooth Loss is Very Common. According to the Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation, over 240 million people in the world have experienced tooth loss. By 35, most adults will lose at least one permanent tooth. This means that it is common to need a tooth replacement and to have a dental implant procedure.
  3. Restorative Treatment. A common misconception about dental implants is that they’re similar to crowns. However, this is incorrect. Dental implants are restorative treatments and can actually help stimulate bone growth. Dental implants are actually artificial roots. They are placed inside the jawbone, are shaped like a hardware screw and have a success rate of 95%. Check out our blog, What Are Your Tooth Replacement Options, for more information.
  4. AAID Formation. Dental implants are the main reason the AAID, American Academy of Implant Dentistry was formed. In 1951, there was a group of dentists who were very successful with the outcome of their implant techniques. So, they formed the AAID to help spread their knowledge of implant technology and advancement. 
  5. Care Required. Once a dental implant is performed, the risk of getting a cavity in that tooth is gone, but care is still required. Daily brushing and flossing are so important for dental implants and can help the dental implant last a lifetime. 

Learn More HERE About Dental Implant Surgery.

Related Resource from WebMD: A Guide to Dental Implants

GPS Dental Can Help

As you can see, a dental implant can do wonders for your smile, especially if you are self-conscious about a missing tooth. If you’re curious about whether a dental implant is a tooth replacement option for you, please give us a call – we’d love to discuss dental implants with you. 

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.

Tooth Replacement: What Are the Options?

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on March 13, 2017

tooth-replacement

Close your eyes and imagine, what would you do if you had a big event to attend, like your best friend’s wedding, and you broke your tooth… what would you do?

You certainly can’t attend with a huge gap in your teeth.

You need a tooth replacement; here are some options you may want to consider.

Why Teeth are replaced:

It’s no secret that your teeth are tough, but did you know that your teeth are in fact harder than any bone in your entire body! While this may come as a surprise to some, when you think about it this certainly does make a great deal of sense as your teeth have the extremely important task of breaking down your food for consumption. However even as tough as your teeth are, there are many factors such as hard foods, acidic substances, or simply neglect and old age, that can potentially damage or destroy your teeth; even an accident. Therefore tooth replacement is necessary if damage or decay occurs, and this can be accomplished several different ways to meet one’s particular needs.

What Tooth Replacement Options are Available?

There are three primary tooth replacement options available when having one or more teeth replaced, each of these options are designed to accommodate different circumstances surrounding the patient’s need for one or several replacements, and each option presents their own advantages and disadvantages.

Option 1: Removable Partial

Often considered the most economical of the tooth replacement options, the removable partial denture or RPD, is as its name implies a removable row of porcelain dentures that can be used both as functional teeth and to serve aesthetic purposes. While the RPD is a popular tooth replacement option due to it being least expensive of the options, and for being the most accommodating for older individuals who may need several teeth replaced. It does present certain drawbacks as well. Over the years there have been quite a few instances of RPD’s getting lost or going missing, particularly among elderly patients or folks on vacation, leading some to seek a more permanent solution.

Option 2: Fixed Bridge

A bridge or sometimes called fixed partial denture is much like the removable partial, a row of artificial porcelain teeth. However, the differences between an RPD and a bridge is not only the fact that the bridge is fixed (or non-removable) but also that the dental bridge provides greater comfort while chewing, requires less  cleaning, and is as convincing as actual teeth. Although more expensive than the RPD, the bridge is in many ways more effective and requires little time to be created.

Related Article: What I Wish I Knew Before I Got My Dentures

Option 3: Dental Implant

The third and perhaps most coveted tooth replacement option is the dental implant. Unlike the two previous options, a dental implant is more like an actual tooth that that has been specifically created to replace your old one. This ceramic, custom made tooth is strategically placed onto the jawbone of the patient, so that the bone and gums can grow around it over time, thus becoming the permanent replacement for the missing tooth. Although dental implants are more expensive than the previously mentioned tooth replacement options, they require the least amount of maintenance and attention as the others, in addition to providing authentic feel as a natural tooth.

Related Article: Dental Implants – The Lasting Fix for Front Teeth

Remember, although your teeth are tough, and can last a lifetime depending on the circumstances. If time has taken its toll on your teeth, there are several tooth replacement options available to keep you smiling.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we 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.