Missing Teeth Columbia, SC

Do you have missing teeth? Has your previous dentist said that there is no hope for improving the condition of your teeth and that you must get dentures? Dr. Tom Trinkner and Dr. Nick Keefer are leading dentists in Columbia, South Carolina that can replace missing teeth. We provide treatment for complex dental problems like worn, broken, and lost teeth.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Trinkner has been practicing advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry techniques to rebuild patients’ smiles. Replacing missing teeth can restore your dental health and your quality of life. Dr. Trinkner and Dr. Keefer offer a comprehensive, team approach to your restorative needs.

Missing Teeth & Related Health Problems

Missing teeth can cause a variety of negative effects on your mouth and overall health. Patients with missing teeth are at a higher risk of developing a range of oral health and systemic health concerns. The gaps from missing teeth can allow existing teeth to shift and create a crooked smile. This can also create an unbalanced bite, difficulty in speaking or chewing, and teeth can suffer from excessive wear, chipping, and cracking.

Patients with one or more missing teeth are also more susceptible to additional tooth loss. Tooth loss leads to bone deterioration. The jawbone beneath the missing tooth can deteriorate over time, resulting in the bones and surrounding tissue becoming progressively weaker. Without the support of all of the teeth, the jawbone can begin to recede creating a sunken in or withdrawn jawline that may prematurely age the appearance of the patient. Missing teeth may also cause gum recession and gum disease.

Treatment Options For Missing Teeth

There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for the replacement of missing teeth. Dr. Trinkner will assess your condition through a comprehensive evaluation and make recommendations for the best long-term results. Our goal is to restore your smile to its natural function with optimal health and esthetics.

Dental Implants

For many patients with missing teeth, Dental Implants will be the best option for the most natural tooth replacement. Dental implants have one of the highest success rates when compared to other dental restorations, offering a permanent and stable replacement tooth.

Patients who have dental implants can enjoy a very high quality of life with normal speech and the ability to eat a varied diet without being concerned about slippage. Dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth and are extremely long-lasting with good oral hygiene and routine dental care.

If you are a candidate for dental implants, our dentists will plan your dental implant treatment and coordinate the surgical placement with a local oral surgeon or periodontist. Once the implant has healed, you will return to our Columbia, SC dental office for the implant restoration performed by Dr. Trinkner or Dr. Keefer.

We can use a dental implant to replace one or several missing teeth. In the case of a single missing tooth, we restore the dental implant with a single custom dental crown. For multiple missing teeth, our team may fabricate a full or partial denture to restore your smile. To learn more about our dental implant services, visit Dental implants.

Dental Bridges & Partials

Depending on the location of your missing teeth and your health condition, Dr. Trinkner may recommend a dental bridge or partial bridge. A bridge consists of two or more artificial teeth, or pontics that consist of porcelain. Ether your natural teeth or implant posts will hold the bridge in place.

Partial bridges are similar to conventional dental bridges, however they replace many missing teeth in a single area. A partial bridge can range from one to three pontics, with natural teeth or implant posts anchoring the two end pontics in place. Dental crowns hold the partial bridge in place, and may also include non-removable metal clasps.

We customize each prosthetic to the patient’s mouth, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit. Furthermore, we can permanently secure these dental prosthetics using dental implants. At the end of the day, your new smile will feel and function like natural teeth.

Implant Dentures

We work with patients who are missing a full arch or all of their teeth to give them back a natural-looking and functioning smile. We provide modern implant dentures. Implant dentures or All-On-Four® uses as few as four dental implant posts to stabilize and secure a hybrid denture.

This type of prosthetic provides superior stability over traditional dentures because the implants serve to provide a secure anchor that holds the dentures securely in place. It will prevent the denture from shifting or slipping around in your mouth.

Furthermore, implant dentures provide superior chewing ability since they distribute the force of chewing across the implants rather than your gums, which greatly reduces discomfort. Because of their secure fit and comfort, implant dentures offer many benefits that traditional dentures don’t.

Schedule A Dental Exam Today

We are ready to discuss your personal goals and work with you to replace missing teeth with the most suitable option. Request a dental exam online or call us at 803-400-8729 today.