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We Want To Make Your Smile Complete! Damaged and Missing Teeth Can Be Replaced.

Sometimes teeth are damaged so critically that they cannot be restored and may need to be removed (an extraction).  Replacing missing teeth can be very important for your overall health (for example, so that you are able to eat well), provide a natural appearance, improve pronunciation of words, and improve self-esteem.

Options for Tooth Replacement

Compassionate Dentistry has many options for replacing patients’ teeth. Dr. Sara Riechers will diagnose the condition of your teeth and gums, then recommend and discuss the treatment options that best suit your dental, medical, personal, aesthetic, and financial needs.

Dental implants are man-made tooth roots that are placed in the jawbone  in place of a tooth.  When healing, the bone will heal into the threads  of  the implant, making them an excellent long-term option for missing teeth.

Dental implants can be used for a variety of reasons, such as to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or to be used as an anchor for bridges or dentures.  When replacing teeth, the implant is attached to a crown just like those used for restoring natural teeth, with similar aesthetic options for color matching to give a natural appearance.  Replacing teeth with implants means there is no daily removal or replacement of false teeth, as is the case with dentures. Implants can also be flossed like natural teeth, without having to thread the floss under a bridge and does not inflict extensive treatment on the neighboring teeth. Due to the healing time, implants can take some time to complete, but are often the ideal solution in many cases. During healing time, a flipper can be made for a temporary solution so the space can be filled.

A bridge consists of a crown (or cap) on the teeth next to the space, which are attached to a fake tooth that is in the middle.   The artificial tooth is “anchored” to its neighbors, creating a “bridge” between them.  The bridge is cemented into place and is not made to be removed. A variety of materials, such as metal with a porcelain coating, enable a bridge to match the appearance and color of other teeth in the mouth so that they appear natural and will satisfy your aesthetic dental needs. One down-side of bridges is that if complications arise with one of the anchor teeth, the one tooth problem can become a three (or more) tooth problem.

Dentures are artificial teeth that can be removed from the mouth. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth on the top or on the bottom of the mouth.  Removable partial dentures can replace one tooth or several teeth.  Dentures are usually made out of a hard plastic called acrylic that can be customized to match the color of your gum tissue, and the artificial teeth can be made to match the color of other teeth.  This means that dentures can look natural and be unnoticed. A flipper is made to quickly replace one or a few front teeth. This allows you to get your smile back while other more permanent options are considered. Flippers can break easily and are not made for chewing, but are a great option to use while implants are healing .

Please call us today at (541) 956-2177 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sara Riechers to discuss the best way to replace your teeth.  Our Grants Pass staff at Compassionate Dentistry would love to make sure you have a satisfied and complete smile.