Do you have missing teeth that you would like to replace? This is very common in our dental practice and can be solved in a couple of ways. For those that want something that feels, looks, and functions like a natural tooth, dental implants are the best option. A dental implant essentially replaces the tooth root and enables us to build a whole new tooth in the missing space. Missing teeth can also be replaced with dental bridges and removable partial or full dentures. A bridge consists of crowning (capping) the adjacent teeth to a space and connecting them together. This is usually done when a patient wants solution that doesn’t come in and out of their mouth and they are not a candidate for dental implants. Removable dentistry can also be a great option. Removable dentistry won’t feel and look quite as natural as a dental implant, however, this option is the most economical and can give you back the smile or bite that you want. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Posts Tagged ‘dental bridge’
Are you missing teeth?
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010What does dental insurance cover?
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010Dental insurance is very different depending upon what you or your employer pays for. Typically, insurance covers preventative care such as dental cleanings (prophylaxis), deep cleanings (scaling and root planing), x rays, or exams, very well. In some cases they may pay 100% of the cost after you have met your deductible. On other procedures such as root canals, dental implants, fillings, bridges, dentures, crowns (caps), or extractions (pulling a tooth), they may pay a percentage of the cost. However, every insurance is different and it is a good idea to find out what they will pay prior to having treatment to determine your budget. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Stefanie or Sarah at our office. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What if I am missing teeth?
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010It is very common to have missing teeth. Whether it is due to something unplanned, like dental decay or breaking a tooth, or it was done on purpose to make room for braces or to remove wisdom teeth, it is not uncommon. If you have missing teeth you are not alone. The decision that you can make is whether or not you want to replace the teeth you are missing. In many cases, patients get along just fine with one missing tooth. However, most people begin to want to replace teeth when it affects their bite, ability to eat, and smile. Today we have the ability to place dental implants. Dental implants are the most natural, cosmetic, and longest lasting solution to missing teeth. You can replace one tooth or an entire set of teeth with dental implants. Other solutions include dentures, partial dentures, and dental bridges. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What is a partial denture?
Thursday, July 8th, 2010When a patient is missing teeth but not all of their teeth and they want another option besides dental implants or a bridge, a partial denture can be a good option. A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth. These used to be made out of metal, were very rigid, and ugly in appearance. However, partial dentures are now made out of thermoplastics which makes them flexible, comfortable, and significantly more cosmetic. If you aren’t a good candidate for dental implants or need a more economical option, a partial denture may be a good option for you. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Do you have loose dentures?
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010Even the tightest fitting dentures can become loose over time. While many denture wearers do not have any teeth it is important to visit the dentist for an annual exam to look at the fit of the denture (plate) and to perform an oral cancer exam. If the fit of the denture has changed or it doesn’t fit as tightly as the patient would like, a couple of things can be done. The denture can be relined, which means that the inside of the denture is filled with new material to help it fit tightly with the gum tissue again, or implants can be placed so that the denture has something directly holding it in place. Most patients have more problems with the fit of a lower (bottom) denture than on the top. Typically this can be solved with two implants that enable the denture to “snap” into place. Dentures continue to get more comfortable and functional. Don’t let loose dentures keep you from smiling or eating the foods that you enjoy. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What is a dental implant?
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010When a person is missing a tooth or multiple teeth, these can be replaced with dental implants. Implants act like a root replacement and allow us to build a new tooth in the space without having to make a dental bridge or denture. The downside to a bridge is that it requires crowning the adjacent teeth and it isn’t as strong, while a denture tends to not feel like natural teeth and has to be removed in order to clean. Dental implants are the most natural in appearance, feel like real teeth and are longer lasting than any other option. Implants can also help those who have complete dentures and have a problem with their denture moving around. The denture can be attached to the implant in order to “anchor” it securely in the mouth. While there are many options in dentistry, dental implants are one of the most exciting and give patients the ability to never have missing teeth. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Dental Implants
Monday, May 17th, 2010For patients that are missing teeth, dental implants offer the most conservative and long lasting solution for tooth replacement. Dental implants have been around for nearly fifty years and have finally surpased other treatments such as a bridge (fixed partial denture) or removable denture as the most natural feeling, cosmetic, and longest lasting solution. When a tooth is lost, it used to be common to crown the adjacent teeth in order to connect them together as a “bridge.” Not only did this damage the adjacent teeth but it also placed the patient at a higher risk for root canals and losing more teeth. With dental implants, the adjacent teeth to a space can be left untouched and only the space can be addressed. The implant acts like a root replacement and enables the dentist to make a tooth in the space that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Dr. Carson Kutsch DDS Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
What do you do if you are missing teeth?
Monday, April 26th, 2010It is very common to be missing teeth in addition to wisdom teeth and most of the time this is out of the patient’s control. While dental technology and materials have dramatically improved over the past twenty five years, there are still a lot of teeth that have older types of treatments. Teeth are most often lost due to breaking the crown or the root or to periodontal disease. Typically, the cause of tooth loss is often something that the patient can’t directly control. So, what can we do to replace missing teeth? If the patient wants something that feels and acts like a real tooth, dental implants are the best option. Another option is a dental bridge, however, this requires that we crown (cap) the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth. If the patient wants a solution that is removable, we can make partial dentures that do not have any metal, look very cosmetic, and are extremely comfortable. Of course, depending upon the location of the missing tooth, some patients get along just fine without replacing the space with anything at all. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com