Tooth Replacement

Losing your teeth due to dental disease or trauma continues
to affect your bite long after the teeth are gone. Missing teeth
cause teeth on the opposite sides to try to move into the
empty spaces created by tooth loss. Not only does this affect
the appearance of your smile, it can also create problems in
chewing and jaw pain due to a poor bite.

Prosthetic replacement of missing teeth is a proven method
of protecting your bite from these complications.

Options for Tooth Replacement include:

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great way to permanently to replace a
missing tooth. The implant is surgically placed into the open
space and can then be restored by making a crown or bridge
to go over the implant cylinder. In some cases, implants are
actually a better option than a bridge, because the adjacent teeth are left undisturbed.
Implants can also be used as "anchor" teeth for dentures or partials to make them feel more
secure in your mouth.

Modern dental technology has made implants a practical solution for a number of dental
challenges that have been difficult to resolve in the past. Years ago, if too many posterior teeth
were lost, patients had no other choice but to remove the rest of their teeth and wear dentures.
Today, implants may be used to replace lost molars and perform the "anchor" function for
permanent bridges or partial dentures, eliminating the need for full mouth extractions.

Because a dental implant is a surgical procedure that requires an intimate knowledge of the dental
bone and surrounding nerves, Dr. Woollery works closely with Periodontists and Oral Surgeons that
specialize in implant surgery to achieve optimal results. These Specialists will insert the implant
cylinder which Dr. Woollery then restores with a crown or bridge.

As part of the Smile Analysis process, Dr. Woollery evaluates missing teeth and the possibility of
implant replacement. She then consults with her Specialist Team regarding your specific needs and
develops a comprehensive treatment plan for your restorative care.

Fixed Bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed replacement for missing teeth. A bridge uses adjacent teeth to support a
"false" tooth which fills the spaces left by tooth loss. A bridge can be supported by natural teeth, or
is sometimes supported by dental implants.

Bridges are designed to achieve an aesthetic result as well as being as functional as your natural
teeth. At Contemporary Dentistry, we work closely with our laboratory to create a solid, well-
designed bridge that looks naturally beautiful. As part of our Smile Analysis, we will evaluate any
missing teeth and offer our recommendations for the use of bridges as replacements.

Removable Partial Dentures

A removable partial denture is often used to replace several missing teeth, using existing natural
teeth as support. Made of special plastic or metals, a removable partial has fabricated teeth to fill
the spaces left by missing teeth.

Special precision attachments are also available to make removable dentures feel more secure in
the mouth. In cases of multiple tooth loss, partial dentures are often combined with dental
implants to replace lost biting and chewing capabilities.

Complete Dentures

When most or all of the natural teeth are lost do to trauma or disease, a complete denture can
be fabricated to replace missing teeth. In smile restoration, complete dentures are viewed as a
"last resort". With no teeth or opposing forces in the mouth, the jaw bone levels can deteriorate
over time. If all of a patient's teeth are lost at an early age, this can result in serious conditions in
later years.

At Contemporary Dentistry, we explore all other alternatives prior to recommending dentures.
When dentures are necessary, we will schedule several preliminary appointments for "fitting" the
dentures, as well as multiple appointments to make sure they fit well after they are placed. We
work closely with our patients using their own "smile vision" and photographs to construct
aesthically-pleasing and durable dentures.

If you have multiple broken or missing teeth and are considering full dentures, we invite you to call
us for a Complimentary Smile Analysis prior to making a final decision. Our goal is to save your
teeth whenever possible. We will offer our recommendations and assist you in the decision-making
process.