PROSTHODONTICS IN RICHMOND, VA

We offer many treatments for tooth replacement, including but not limited to:

Porcelain veneers: In some cases, a simple masking of an existing tooth is enough to correct an abnormality.

Crowns and bridges: Crowns and bridges are common for strengthening teeth with cracks, large fillings, endodontically treated teeth, and can be used to replace missing teeth in certain situations.

Dentures and partial dentures: If you’ve lost or plan to lose multiple teeth, a full or partial denture may be the right choice for you. Most people are intimidated by the thought of this, but there are great options for secure removable or fixed prosthesis.

Implants restoration: We work closely with oral surgeons to ensure a smooth ride through the implant process. We do not place implants but we do restore them. (i.e. we complete the crowns, bridges, dentures, etc. that will be attached to your implants)

There are many reasons why people will choose to replace missing teeth. These reasons can be cosmetic reasons or to restore the ability to chew foods. What most people don’t know is there are consequences to not replacing a lost tooth.

The most noticeable negative effect of a lost tooth is the bone loss that is caused by this. Bone needs stimulation to maintain its volume and density. In the case of the bone that surrounds your teeth, this stimulation comes from the teeth touching each other while chewing, speaking and normal activities hundreds of times per day. Because of the constant stress of these activities the bone surrounding this tooth is constantly turning over and rebuilding itself to maintain the strength and stability of the teeth. Once a tooth is lost the constant stimulation is gone and the bone that is there will start to shrink. The longer the tooth is missing, the more bone is lost.

Removable dentures have been used to replace missing teeth for many years but can actually accelerate the loss of bone because of the way the dentures rub on the bone ridges.

As bone loss occurs the jaw becomes weaker and noticeably smaller and can make a person’s face look much older.

The best way to maintain bone in the jaw where teeth have been lost are dental implants. These implants are placed directly in the bone and create a similar stimulation that keeps the bone volume and density.