Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire IL
Are you living with a missing tooth? It might bother you to look in the mirror and see a gap where a tooth used to be, but you think it’s not a big deal. Even a single lost tooth affects more than just your appearance. Any missing permanent teeth can compromise your oral health and your overall wellness. That’s why Lake Forest Dentistry, a general dentist office in Lake Forest, wants to explain the importance of replacing missing teeth and how he can help.
Why we recommend replacing missing teeth
- Aesthetically, it repairs your smile.
- Physically, it helps maintain proper dental alignment and tooth spacing.
- Nutritionally, it ensures your continued ability to eat and properly fuel your body and mind.
Vocally, it enables you to continue speaking properly.
Plus, replacing a missing tooth helps safeguard against the deterioration of your jawbone.
Your Options to Replace Lost Teeth
When a tooth or multiple teeth are missing, there are three ways that Terry Soule, DDS, can restore your smile.
A dental implant is the only permanent tooth replacement. An implant screw, usually made of titanium, is inserted into your jaw and serves as an anchor for a natural-looking dental crown. An implant can last the rest of your life with good dental hygiene.
Whether you have one missing tooth or several lost teeth adjacent in the mouth, a bridge is a fixed tooth replacement that fills the gap in your smile. All of the dental bridges used at Lake Forest Smiles are made with beautiful dental porcelain—which can be matched to the shape and shade of your natural healthy teeth.
For patients who have lost all or most of their teeth, dentures represent the most economical option. Lake Forest Smiles offers dentures that are more comfortable and functional than traditional dentures. For patients who need the extensive tooth restoration of dentures but want the stability of dental implants, our Lake Forest implant dentists also offer implant-supported dentures for a secure fit.
Comparing Your Options
These choices restore your smile, maintaining proper dental spacing while preventing your bite from shifting and causing alignment issues. You regain your chewing ability and full ability to speak. Dentures, bridges, and implants can repair the cosmetic issues you have with your missing teeth. However, only a dental implant can stimulate your jaw in the same way a tooth does. That means that dental implants can prevent jaw deterioration and structural issues related to the jawbone. At Lake Forest Smiles, we know that choosing between these options can be difficult. That’s why we recommend scheduling a consultation to explore your options.
Restorative Dentistry in Lake Forest
When you are missing a tooth, and you are looking for a Lake Forest dental office that’s open today, Lake Forest Smiles is here for you. To learn more about your tooth replacement options, please call Lake Forest Smiles at (847) 234-4800. We look forward to meeting you and helping you meet your smile goals.
