After years of wearing your favorite jeans, they get worn out. The color fades, and the seams stretch, threads come loose around the knee. Unfortunately, this is normal. And after wearing them one more time, you know it’s time to throw them out. Over years of use which results in natural wear and tear, the function of your teeth diminishes and their color fades. The good news is, unlike your jeans, you don’t have to discard your teeth—you can restore them! Atkins and Anderson Dentistry offers a variety of options for restorative dentistry to renew your smile and your confidence.

Dental Implants

Implants are a prosthetic tooth root that mimics the design of a natural tooth. It is placed in the jaw where it integrates with your bone, creating a solid foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. Dental implants are considered for patients who are missing teeth or who currently wear ill-fitting dentures. There are many benefits to dental implants including their ability to increase bone retention and eliminate loose dentures. If taken care of properly, dental implants can last a lifetime, giving you the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.

Dentures

There are several types of dentures, but all are used to give you the function of natural teeth when they are missing. Talk to one of our dentists to find out what kind of dentures are best for you.

• Traditional Dentures: Dentures give your teeth and mouth the function required to eat, talk, and smile naturally. They also help you maintain the natural muscle tone in your face. If your teeth are missing, dentures will enable you to retain your lifestyle and look and feel healthy. Our team works diligently to give you a natural smile with properly fitting dentures.
• Partial Dentures: Removable, partial dentures are considered if you have several missing teeth that cannot be corrected with a bridge. Partial dentures blend into your natural teeth and mimic your gum tissue for a comfortable fit.
• Implant Supported Dentures: This kind of denture removes many of the problems associated with traditional dentures. Implant supported dentures distribute your biting pressure more evenly which reduces gum sores and difficulty chewing. They do not shift because of their solid fit and they stimulate supportive structures in your mouth that prevent your bone and soft tissue from shrinking.

Crowns

Natural wear and tear include discoloration, chipping, and cracking. To renew your smile, a porcelain crown may be right for you. The porcelain is shaded to match the color of your natural teeth, so no one knows but you. A unique fit gives you the look and function of healthy teeth, so contact our office if you experience pain while chewing or are sensitive to temperatures.

Bridges

A bridge is necessary if you have lost a tooth or have a large gap in your teeth. If left unattended, your bite pressure could shift to other parts of your mouth, adjacent teeth may begin to move into the gap. This results in discomfort, pain, and other significant problems. A bridge “bridges the gap” between your teeth by inserting a prosthetic tooth. Bridges give you a functional, natural smile while eliminating your discomfort and protecting your bite.

Inlays/Onlays

In some cases, it’s necessary to remove a portion of your tooth to effectively remove decay. However, a customized inlay or onlay fills the space left behind. Inlays and onlays are made from porcelain that makes them indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Inlays and onlays also remove pain from chewing, cavity pain, and tooth degeneration.

If you have questions about restorative dentistry, contact Atkins and Anderson Dentistry today. We’ll find the right solution to renew your smile and restore the function of your teeth.