Emergency Dental Services in Albuquerque, NM

When you meet someone for the first time, one of the first things this person will notice is your smile. A full set of teeth will enhance your smile and appearance. Unfortunately, though teeth are strong and durable, they can be damaged and fall out due to injury or decay. Replacing missing teeth can restore your smile and allow you to eat and speak normally again.

At Osuna Dental Care: Chris Y. Kim DDS, we offer options for missing teeth to patients from Albuquerque and the surrounding area.Speak with our team about which options make the most sense for your budget and needs. We can provide you with a solution that you can feel good about. Call us today at (505) 884-1989 and schedule an appointment.

Available Treatments

The good news for patients who are missing teeth is that there are effective options to correct these issues. The patient will be examined and evaluated, factoring in their medical history, the severity of oral health conditions, and how many teeth are missing to decide on the suitable treatment option. Options our team might recommend include:

• Dentures: Full or partial, dentures are removable prosthetics made to look like natural teeth.
• Implants: Implants are permanent prosthetics anchored to titanium posts placed into the jawbone. The process of placing implants takes longer than other options, but implants are more durable. Implants work well for patients who are missing multiple teeth
• Bridges: As an article on WebMD explains, this treatment fixes artificial teeth to crowns over natural teeth. Bridges can stop surrounding teeth from shifting.

All treatment options have benefits and challenges. Therefore, it is essential for both the patient and the dentist to openly discuss what is available. Then decide on the right fit.

“The patient will be examined and evaluated, factoring in their medical history, the severity of oral health conditions, and how many teeth are missing to decide on the suitable treatment option.”

Durability Comparison of Tooth Replacement Options

Durability is a critical factor when choosing a long-term treatment option. How long the replacement will last impacts the time the procedure would take out of your life and how much it will cost. The last thing a patient wants is to return to the office every couple of years for more dental work treating the same issues.

Implants are the most durable option. According to an article in Healthline, this is the main advantage of dental implants. These titanium-supported false teeth can last up to 20 years with proper care and maintenance. And because implants replace a tooth's roots, this system is as stable as natural teeth with their original roots.

Bridges will not last as long as implants, but this combination of artificial teeth, crowns, and natural teeth can serve a patient well for a decade or longer. It is not removable, but routine visits with your doctor will help monitor the bridge for wear.

Dentures are a moderately durable option and typically require replacement more often than implants and bridges. Patients will need to replace them every seven to eight years. However, the patient should be able to eat most foods with dentures.

“The last thing a patient wants is to return to the office every couple of years for more dental work treating the same issues.”

The Role of Age on Replacing Missing Teeth

Regardless of a person's age, it is vital to have functioning teeth. Missing teeth makes chewing more difficult, can weaken oral health, and can affect appearance. Our staff will consider a person's age when deciding what teeth replacement option is suitable. For example, older patients may not be concerned about a solution that will last for 20 years and beyond. Older adults may prefer dentures for this reason and because it takes less work to clean.

Conversely, young patients are more active and may find themselves in more social situations. For this reason, they may prefer to choose implants. Also, younger patients are more likely to be in good overall health. Overall oral and physical health is an important criteria for being a good candidate for dental implants.

“Regardless of a person’s age, it is vital to have functioning teeth.”

Choosing the Right Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Patients would do well to understand the different treatment options to choose the most suitable one. Patients should also consider the extent of their issues. For only a couple of missing teeth, a bridge or implants may make the most sense. For several missing teeth, partial dentures are a good option. Getting full dentures is a common solution to replace all missing teeth.

Patients need to budget wisely too. Implants may be the most long-lasting treatment, but it can be the most expensive as well. People who have less to spend should consider dentures or dental bridges instead. People should look at their lifestyle and determine which replacement option fits their needs and preferences.

“People should look at their lifestyle and determine which replacement option fits their needs and preferences.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is a good candidate for implants?
One of the nice things about dental implants is that this option can work well no matter how many missing teeth a person has. It is also a good choice for patients who do not want to worry about another replacement treatment for the next 20 to 25 years. However, the patient must be in good oral health and have enough jaw bone mass to support the implant.
2. Are these options for replacing missing teeth painful?
Many people have anxiety about dental visits. However, getting a bridge, dentures, or implants does not involve much, if any, pain. Our dentist will give patients a local anesthetic to numb the area. Patients may feel a little soreness for a couple of days but can manage any discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication.
3. Will insurance cover the replacement treatments?
Patients should check with their insurance provider before visiting our office. Some plans may cover part of the procedure, though others will consider the treatments cosmetic. If you are considering financing options, you may also speak with our staff.
4. Are replacements essential?
In some cases, our dentist may be able to salvage severely decayed teeth. However, if a tooth has been too badly damaged or completely knocked out, a replacement option may be necessary.
5. What happens if dentures break?
If a patient discovers a crack or a break in the dentures, it is essential to call the dentist immediately. There are home repair kits available, but it is always more effective to contact the dentist. Our office has the right equipment and tools to help repair the appliance properly.
6. What can people who wear dentures eat?
Patients should start by eating soft foods until they are used to the dentures. From there, the wearers can gradually move onto harder foods. Our dentist can give you advice on which foods might give you trouble.