Are you missing one or multiple teeth? Do you want to replace missing teeth with high-quality restorations?
Dr. Tom Trinkner offers dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures to patients in Columbia, South Carolina. There are many benefits to filling the gaps in your smile. Replacing your missing teeth allows you to maintain your facial structure and improve the bite. Call 803-400-8729 or request an appointment with Dr. Trinkner online if you want to replace missing teeth. Learn more about the causes and problems associated with missing teeth as well as how to treat missing teeth below:
Causes of Missing Teeth
There are several common causes of missing teeth, which may include:
- Injury
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Genetics
- Temporomandibular joint disorders
Patients with these conditions are more prone to losing one or more teeth. There are also multiple difficulties that patients face when they lose teeth.
Problems with Missing Teeth
When left untreated, missing teeth can cause even more dental problems. Some problems include:
- Difficulty biting and chewing
- Bone loss
- Irregular bite
- Speech issues
- Facial sagging
- Crooked teeth
However, there are dental solutions that can improve the appearance of teeth as well as overall oral health.
Restorative Dental Treatments
Before treatment, Dr. Trinkner will assess the health of your teeth and gums to ensure that your chosen solution aligns well with your specific oral health goals and budget. He may then recommend one of these treatments:
Dental Implants: Dental implants are made of a titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone. Single missing teeth or multiple missing teeth can be replaced with single implants. Many patients may forget that they have dental implants because they look and feel like natural teeth.
Dental Bridges: Dental bridges restore multiple teeth and can be secured with dental implants for a more permanent restoration. Dental bridges can also utilize adjacent healthy teeth to ensure stability.
Dentures: Dentures are a great restoration option for patients who are missing multiple teeth or even full arches of teeth. Like dental bridges, dentures can be secured with dental implants. Implant-secured dentures are beneficial to patients without having to use messy adhesives or risking any slippage.