Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry in Flagstaff AZ

Dental implants help replace missing teeth. While dentures act as a replacement for entire sets of teeth on the upper and lower gums, dental implants are a more specific technique that replaces an individual tooth. If you have lost only a few teeth due to dental work, or mishap, a dental implant is an excellent substitute. Dental implants can be single units (crown), multiple units (bridge), or can support removable or fixed dentures. Dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone to resemble the tooth's root and provide support for replacement teeth. 

It should be noted that dental implants, while a durable solution, may also require some extra care. A dental implant essentially affixes a titanium screw into the gums and bone, to which the implant itself is attached. One of the properties of titanium, aside from being an incredibly tough metal, is that it does not provoke a response from the immune system. Extra care should be taken to ensure the gums around the implant are kept clean. If bacteria get into the sensitive gum area around the screw, it could lead to infection.

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A dental crown is like a “cap” that is fixed to a single tooth. Dental crowns can be the solution to many issues. These include weakened teeth due to cavities, chipped teeth, or discoloration from illness or infection. The procedure usually involves cementing the crown into place, making it a permanent fixture that shouldn’t require any additional maintenance aside from good oral hygiene.

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Today, there are many alternatives to ensure that a missing tooth doesn’t have to become an embarrassment. One technique called a Dental Bridge is a unique solution to the problem.

A dental bridge is designed to address a particular kind of missing tooth problem for patients in Flagstaff AZ. If there is a “space” in your mouth where you have a tooth, followed by a missing tooth and then another tooth, a dental bridge is a perfect solution.

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Dentures may be the right choice when a person has suffered significant/multiple tooth loss. Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be attached as well as removable in the mouth. The dentures may take some time to get used to, but they are natural-looking and comfortable. Dentures are not an equal replacement for natural teeth but are a suitable improvement for missing teeth.

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Some people may have either a “gummy” or a “toothy” smile. All this means is that the ratio of how much gum appears versus teeth may be off-balance compared to what most people are used to seeing. A “gum lift” is a surgical technique originally used strictly for gum health reasons to reshape gum tissue or the bone underneath on which the gum was fixed.

Today, a gum lift is used to sculpt the way the gums appear in the mouth. This creates proportions that are more normal and evens out any irregularities in the gum distribution for a more symmetrical smile.

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Also known as composite fillings, they are composed of a mixture of resin, glass, and porcelain ceramics. These materials are biocompatible, esthetic and long-lasting. Tooth-colored fillings are chosen to match a patient's teeth and can be barely visible, ensuring that the patient's aesthetic appearance is restored.