Prosthetic Dental Options Based on Fit

It’s important that a craftsperson uses the right tool for each job — and that applies to pretty much any line of work. Whether you’re making an artisan table, or trying to repair a broken smile, you want the right tool. Prosthetic dentistry is designed to replace damaged and missing teeth, restoring patient smiles and the functionality of their bite. However, every case of tooth loss and every patient is different. Each specific case will dictate the right prosthetic dental option. Working with a skilled dental professional gives you the ability to recover from your tooth loss.

The Type of Tooth Loss You’ve Suffered Influences the Best Prosthetic Option

The nature of your tooth loss is often the biggest determining factor in what kind of dental prosthetic will work best for you. Have you lost a single tooth, or many teeth? Are those teeth all in sequence or are they in various locations throughout your smile? Is your tooth just damaged, or has it fallen out completely? The answers to these questions will go a long way toward determining what kind of prosthetic you need. By reaching out to your dentist, you can consult with them to choose the best recovery option for you.

A Patient’s Oral Health Is Also a Determining Factor

The status of your oral health is also a major influence over what type of dental prosthetic you will need to repair your smile. If you had an accident that knocked one of your teeth out, your dentist may be able to replace that tooth in relatively short order. If progressive tooth decay has caused several of your teeth to fall out, your dentist will need to address that tooth decay before placing a prosthetic. While prosthetic teeth are not made of living oral tissue, they can still be damaged by infection. Until you get rid of the bacteria causing tooth loss, you won’t be able to move forward.

Prosthetic Dental Options for Each Need

Your dentist has a number of different options that they can use when replacing missing teeth. Dentures, or partial dentures, are used to replace a number of missing teeth all with one prosthetic unit. If you’ve suffered extensive tooth loss, this will often be the best way to replace those teeth. Dental bridges can replace a sequence of missing teeth. If you have two missing teeth in a row, a bridge can fit over two healthy teeth on either end and replace the missing teeth in between. Finally, dental implants can replace a single missing tooth, without needing the support of surrounding teeth to hold it in place.

ABOUT YOUR AUSTIN, MN, DENTIST:

Our team offers our patients and their family access to comprehensive dental care, including general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. To schedule an appointment with the Potach and Mitchell Dental Clinic, contact our Austin, MN dental office today by calling 507-437-6312. Our office welcomes patients from Austin, MN and surrounding communities.