There is no dental complication that has a bigger impact on the health and function of the smile than tooth loss. Although the loss of even a single tooth can be harmful to a patient’s oral health, when multiple teeth are lost, the effects can be devastating. Experienced dentist Rohinton J. Patel offers a range of restorative dentistry treatments to address tooth loss, including dentures. Dentures can replace a large group of missing teeth or even an entire arch of missing teeth. These restorations address tooth loss to restore oral functions and enhance the beauty of the smile. However, not all patients are ideal candidates for dentures. Here we go over some of the factors that are taken into consideration when determining ideal candidates for dentures at our Hawaii Kai, HI, dental practice.
Degree of Tooth Loss
There are multiple treatment options for patients who have experienced tooth loss. The goal of any dental treatment is to address dental complications while preserving the health and integrity of the patient’s natural teeth. Because we strive to preserve a patient’s natural teeth, we always opt for the least invasive dental treatment, even in cases of tooth loss. If a patient has only lost a single tooth or small set of teeth, we are likely to recommend a dental crown or dental bridge. It is only when a patient has lost a significant number of teeth or an entire arch of teeth that we will suggest dentures.
State of Oral Health
When considering whether dentures are right for a patient, we must also look at their overall oral health. If teeth adjacent to the treatment site have decay, or if there is evidence of gum disease, the patient will not be ready for dentures. However, it is important to address tooth loss as soon as possible, so we will take appropriate measures to treat any oral health problems so that we can proceed with tooth loss treatment. After a patient’s oral health has been restored, they should be considered ideal candidates for dentures treatment.
Integrity of the Jawbone
In most cases, we recommend that patients opt for implant-supported dentures over traditional dentures. Implant-supported dentures are anchored by a series of surgically placed titanium screws. This provides the ultimate level of stability, durability, comfort, and convenience. For a patient to be considered an ideal candidate for implant-supported dentures, they must have adequate jawbone density. A strong jaw bone will support dental implants and fuse with the screws to create a restoration that closely mimics the natural tooth roots. If a patient lacks ample bone density, they may want to consider a bone graft to rebuild the strength of the jawbone. If patients prefer not to undergo a bone graft of dental implant treatment, they may still be considered candidates for traditional dentures, which simply rest over the jawbone and can be held in place with dental adhesives.
Contact Us
If you have suffered from tooth loss and are wondering if dentures are right for you, contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about these dental restorations. Dr. Rohinton J. Patel can perform a thorough evaluation to determine which form of restorative dentistry treatment is best-suited to your unique case of tooth loss. We look forward to hearing from you!
