From the Office

If you’ve got spaces in your smile due to missing teeth, you should know that just leaving them alone could be detrimental to your dental health. Advanced tooth replacement options from my dental team offer you the opportunity to enjoy both the appearance and health benefits of a complete smile. Filling in gaps can help you chew better, articulate with clarity, and avoid the self-consciousness and appearance issues that often come from missing teeth.

Dangers of Missing Teeth

Teeth have a symbiotic relationship with each other, and when one is out of place, all sorts of problems can arise. When teeth are extracted, the tooth root goes with them, leaving nothing anchored into your jawbone. This can lead to jawbone degradation and weakness over time.

Also, a large gap leaves a lack of support for the neighboring teeth, which can cause them to shift out of place and create a bad bite. A bad bite may then lead to neuromuscular problems, tooth loss, headaches, and so many negative effects. Gaps can also cause additional tooth loss, especially on the opposite jaw across from the missing teeth. Teeth need bite stability to remain properly anchored.

And finally, missing teeth can promote an influx of dental caries, leading to periodontal disease — which is shown to play a role in increasing heart attack risk.  The bottom line is that something must replace a missing tooth to protect your dental health.

Solutions for Missing Teeth

At my Boulder dental clinic, my cosmetic dentistry team and I offer several solutions to help you fill in the gaps. Dental implants are the closest thing to a real tooth you can get, so it is the ideal option in most cases. Implants are attached to the jawbone, resolving the risk of jawbone degradation.

For patients who prefer a less invasive option or need most teeth replaced, dental bridges and dentures are also available. 

If you’re concerned about cost, we may be able to facilitate dental financing to help you afford our cosmetic tooth replacement services.

To learn more about our modern tooth replacement options, please schedule an appointment. My team and I are happy to give you the details on each alternative and help you choose the one that fits your smile best.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

How straight is your smile? Is there something missing that’s holding you back from having perfect pearly whites?

A crooked smile can be a distraction and a hindrance to your overall appearance. Even a few crooked teeth or a slight gap between your teeth can throw off the balance of your smile. If either of these issues is making you self-conscious, it may be time to see an experienced cosmetic dentist to discuss your smile enhancement options.

Tooth Misalignment

Uneven spacing can occur for many reasons, including genetics, physical injury, missing teeth, or neuromuscular problems. Even in patients who had braces as a kid, teeth can move out of their ideal position during the adult years. To improve the appearance of a crooked smile, my team and I offer these state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry treatments.

Invisalign® braces — Invisalign makes it easy and affordable to get straight teeth in about the same timeframe as metal braces. The aligners are made of clear plastic, so you don’t have to worry about people noticing your braces instead of your smile.

Porcelain veneers — Porcelain veneers are a beautiful cosmetic option that creates the illusion of straight teeth using wafer-thin shells of porcelain. The veneers are affixed to the front surfaces of teeth for a very uniform, natural appearance.

TMJ therapy — When misaligned teeth are causing neuromuscular problems, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) therapy can align the upper and lower jaws for a more comfortable and healthy bite. TMJ therapy encourages teeth to fit together better, which often remedies slight misalignment issues in the process.

Glaring Tooth Gaps

Both natural tooth gaps and missing teeth can be fixed with advanced cosmetic dentistry solutions. Dental implants are the best way to replace teeth that have been lost due to infection or physical injury. Porcelain veneers are often the treatment of choice for minor gaps that are not affecting the bite.

Dental implants — Through a dental implant procedure, you can have a brand new tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth. Implants restore bite imbalance, provide bone support, and prevent shifting of neighboring teeth for a permanent solution to missing teeth.

Porcelain veneers are also often used to close small gaps. Veneers can be placed in just two appointments and are usually recommended in situations where patients don’t require structural tooth repair.

If you have been considering filling in your tooth gaps or straightening your teeth, the social benefits of a smile enhancement can be extremely rewarding. For more information about our full array of dental fixes for common tooth problems, please contact my Boulder, Colorado dental office to set up a personal smile consultation.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

An incomplete smile can be an embarrassing thing. If you have experienced tooth loss, you know how much it can affect your smile appearance and your self-confidence. You may have been told by your dentist that a missing tooth can also be a burden to your dental health, causing a variety of problems from bad bite alignment to chewing and speaking problems.

What Dental Implants Can Do

Here at my Boulder, Colorado dental practice, we provide state-of-the-art dental dental implants to help patients with missing teeth improve the form and function of their smiles. There are other options, such as a dental bridge or dentures, but only a dental implant offers the full range of advantages, including proper bone support. Only dental implants offer patients with one or multiple missing teeth the permanent opportunity to smile and eat comfortably.

Implants mimic the capabilities of a real tooth as well as the underlying tooth root. Patients who choose a dental implant for tooth replacement will be able to use their implant as if it was the real thing, with no restrictions and no extra maintenance. Although implant placement can take several months, the strong, lifelike result is well worth the time and cost investment.

Dental Implant Steps

Your new dental implant has three components: the false tooth root that is implanted into the jaw bone, the false tooth that looks and acts like real enamel, and the abutment that connects the new root to the false tooth.

The first step is a surgical procedure involving implantation of the tooth root into the bone. The gum tissue is opened and the tooth root is inserted into a hole created in the bone. The gums are sutured and the area is allowed to heal properly before the next step. In about 3 – 6 months, the implanted root should fuse to the jaw bone, creating a stable foundation.

During a second procedure, the gums are reopened and an abutment is attached to the tooth root. The gums are closed with the top of the abutment resting above the gumline. A temporary crown is placed while the area heals. The final step is the creation of your dental crown (false tooth). This restoration is attached to the abutment to complete the implant process. You are left with  a strong, durable “tooth” that functions just like the old one.

Please take a peek at our smile gallery to see what kinds of results you can achieve with a state-of-the-art dental implant.

If you have one or more missing teeth and would like to get all of the details on dental implants, please contact my Boulder comprehensive dental center at your convenience. I am happy to meet with you, evaluate your needs, and answer all of your questions about tooth replacement.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry

Every tooth in your mouth has a specific purpose, from your front teeth to your back molars. It is remarkable how your daily life can be affected when one tooth becomes chipped or a toothache develops due to a cavity. You may find yourself biting down differently, perhaps with less pressure, or chewing your food only on one side of the mouth. If just one damaged tooth can upset your natural bite balance, imagine how much potential harm a missing tooth can do.

Cosmetic Dentistry Solutions

On the rare occasion that a decaying or damaged tooth is unable to be saved with a dental crown, root canal, or other tooth restoration, you will be strongly encouraged to replace the extracted tooth. At my Boulder, Colorado dental practice, we offer three options for tooth replacement — dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants. Dental implants are the most realistic, highest quality option, but the best treatment for you will depend on your current situation.

Tooth Replacement Benefits

A new false tooth provides much more than a cosmetic improvement. One missing tooth can lead to chewing, speaking, and neuromuscular problems. Tooth replacement ensures that you are able to maintain a balanced bite and to chew and speak normally.

Another negative of missing teeth is the lack of support. A replacement tooth provides needed structure for the teeth around it and prevents them from shifting out of place.

Finally, many people who experience tooth loss face the risk of degeneration of the jaw bone. Replacing your missing tooth with a dental implant prevents bone loss because the titanium tooth root is attached to the actual bone.

If you are wondering how much of a difference a false tooth can make, take a look at some of our tooth replacement results in our smile gallery.

Your Complete Smile

If you have not been in to visit a dentist lately, it is a good idea to schedule a dental wellness appointment to help prevent tooth loss and let us review what you should know about periodontal disease. If you have one or more missing teeth and you want to talk about a replacement solution, feel free to contact my Boulder comprehensive dental center any time.

Dr. Ania

Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry