Our Procedures

Replacing Missing Teeth

If you are missing one or more teeth, your may be particularly aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your Doctor will provide you with multiple options for replacing your missing tooth or teeth. The Doctor along with the RTDental support staff will help you make the best decision to suit your specific personal needs.

BRIDGES

A dental bridge is a permanently cemented natural looking dental appliance that can replace one or a span of missing teeth. While a bridge has many cosmetic advantages, there are also significant functional benefits gained by replacing lost teeth. Because they are custom made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth. A bridge is supported by the adjacent teeth and is meant to look, feel and function like natural teeth. A bridge may be your best choice if the supporting teeth have already been heavily restored in the past.

PARTIALS

A partial is a removable appliance meant to fill the space of multiple missing teeth in the upper or lower dental arch. They usually have replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base connected by metal framework. For some situations where esthetics are of prime concern we can make a flexible "Valplast" partial that has no metal clasps or metal framework. Although removable partials are generally less expensive, fixed bridges or implants when indicated, may feel more stable and comfortable. Your Dentist will gladly help determine which approach is if this is the right choice for you.

IMPLANTS

A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement much like a natural tooth which has a root anchored in your jawbone. The implant is in fact, a substitute for the root of a natural tooth. When you need an implant, your dentist inserts a metal post beneath the gum and into the bone. It fuses to the bone in your jaw and acts like the root of a tooth. Then your Dentist makes a crown on the metal post, designed to blend in with the way your own teeth look and feel. A dental implant is a great choice if you do not want to touch the teeth next to the tooth being replaced by the implant. Dental implants can also be used to anchor dentures.