Struggling with tooth loss? Here at Burbank Family Dentistry in Burbank, IL, Dr. Gerald Ward offers bridgework, dentures, and cutting-edge dental implants for best oral function and realistic smile appearance—read on to learn more about each of these tooth replacement options.

The problem of tooth loss

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that tooth loss is prevalent in the United States, with almost 20 percent of all seniors over 65 having lost all of their teeth. In addition, younger people have smile gaps, too, or are threatened by tooth loss because of dental decay and gum disease.

Unfortunately, smile gaps create a cascade of oral health issues. Jaw bone and gum tissue recede after extractions. Remaining teeth weaken and become poorly aligned. Speech, biting, and chewing all change, and of course, self-esteem degrades substantially.

To counter the ill effects of tooth loss, Dr. Ward likes to replace teeth as soon as possible after extractions. At his Burbank office, your dentist fully examines his patients and designs treatment plans to achieve attractive, long-lasting smiles. Dental implants are the superior choice and help many teens and adults enjoy full, healthy smiles once again.

Tooth replacement options

Traditional replacements include:

• Fixed bridgework replace one or more teeth. Porcelain crowns provide the support for realistic artificial teeth.
• Partial dentures replace one or more teeth. The pontics (replacement teeth) affix to adjoining natural teeth with metal clasps. Partials are fully removable.
• Full dentures replace entire arches of missing teeth. They may be placed right after extractions or when gums and bone have healed.

The most innovative replacements, however, are dental implants. Made of natural titanium metal, implants fuse to the jaw bone through osseointegration. Healed and firmly seated in the jaw, dental implants accept either posts and crowns or multi-tooth bridges and dentures.

With routine care, dental implants never decay or need replacement. Plus, jaw bone and gum tissue both remain strong and viable.

Get ready for a complete smile

At Burbank Family Dentistry, Dr. Ward and his dedicated teeth delight in completing smiles with quality tooth replacements. Nothing beats real teeth, but these prosthetics (including dental implants) from your dentist in Burbank, IL, are very close seconds. Please call today for your consultation: (708) 424-2900.