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Losing even just one tooth is like losing your confidence altogether. A missing tooth can negatively impact your oral health and quality of life. It has been proven in recent studies that at least 120 million American adults have a missing tooth. This number is estimated to grow in the next 20 years. Luckily, custom dental prosthetics in Reno are available to fill the gaps left by your missing teeth and restore your smile.

This article will help you decide which custom dental prosthetic is the right for you!

What Are Custom Dental Prosthetics?

Custom dental prosthetics are devices used to replace a missing tooth or repair damaged teeth. They come in different types and fixtures and can be fixed or removable. Most dental prosthetics are crafted using state-of-the-art technology to secure their stability and appearance. All kinds of custom dental prosthetics aim to improve your mouth's overall condition.

What Are the Different Types of Custom Dental Prosthetics?

• Dental Crowns

A dental crown can be made of metals, porcelain, resin, and ceramics. It is a tooth-like cap that is cemented or placed on top of a damaged tooth to restore its functionality and form.  

Most dental crowns could last for 15 years depending on the amount of depreciation the crowns are exposed to, and how well you practice dental hygiene and mouth-related habits such as grinding and opening packages with your teeth.

• It requires at least two dental visits to get a dental crown.  

On your first visit, your dentist will examine the damaged tooth and the bone around it through an X-ray. After, your dentist will check for any risks of infection such as tooth decay or any injury to the tooth's pulp using a root canal treatment. Once everything is clear, the tooth that will receive a dental crown will be filed down across the top and sides to make space for the crown.  

After this process, your dentist will get a copy or an impression of the tooth to ensure that the crown will not affect your bites. Lastly, the impression is sent to the laboratory for production and will be sent back to your dentist's office.

On your second visit, your dentist will attach the dental crown to your damaged tooth. Before finally placing the permanent crown, your dentist checks its color and fit. If everything seems fine, an anesthetic or a numbing drug is used while cementing the permanent crown in place.

• Dental Bridges

This dental procedure comes in handy for patients with one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges, often made of porcelain, fill the gap using one or more artificial teeth or pontics.  

Like dental crowns, dental bridges can last up to 15 years, depending on how much you take care of them.

There are at least four types of dental bridges: traditional fixed bridge, cantilever bridge, Maryland dental bridge (resin-bonded bridge), and an implant-supported bridge.

Traditional fixed bridges are the most common type among all dental bridges. They contain two or more crowns and a filler tooth or teeth placed over healthy teeth on each side of the gap in the mouth to hold the bridge in place. Traditional fixed bridges are usually made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.

A cantilever bridge is an artificial tooth or pontic that works by filling in the gap by connecting to only one abutment tooth. Cantilever bridges that use an implant for support offer a high success rate of 94.3%, according to a 2010 study.

A Maryland dental bridge (resin-bonded bridge) is helpful when you have missing front teeth. The wings on each side of this dental bridge bond to your existing teeth. It is usually made of porcelain fused to metal or ceramic teeth supported by a framework.

An implant-supported bridge is like a traditional fixed bridge but is cemented to the teeth instead of holding it in place using implants.

• Dental Implants

This type of custom dental prosthetic is famous among other options for teeth replacement since it can last a lifetime with proper care. Dental implants serve as replacement tooth roots that provide a secure foundation for permanent or removable replacement teeth matched with your natural teeth.

Dental implants are sought after as they offer promising results such as improved smile appearance, improved comfort, improved speech, restored self-esteem, and enhanced oral health, among others.  

In general, dental implants have a success rate of 98%, depending on the placement of the implants in the jaw. Dental implants are the procedure of choice for young and old people alike. As long as you have enough jawbone where the implant can integrate with, you are more likely to be eligible for this custom dental prosthetic.

However, it’s important to note that the process of getting dental implants requires surgery. Some patients stiffen upon hearing about this. Fortunately, your oral surgeon can administer sedation dentistry to help you relax in the dentist’s chair.  

• Dentures  

A denture is a removable tooth or teeth replacement device that typically comes in two types: complete and partial dentures.  

Complete dentures are commonly used in cases when all the teeth are missing. They are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissues have healed. This type of denture can either be conventional or immediate. Conventional dentures are used to replace missing teeth, typically eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed. On the other hand, Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be used once teeth are removed.

Partial dentures are removable dentures that replace multiple teeth in the mouth's lower and upper portion. This type of denture enhances chewing and speaking and can also preserve the placement of remaining teeth in your mouth.

• Dental Veneers

This custom dental prosthetic is designed to cover the teeth's front surface to improve your teeth's appearance. Dental veneers are usually made from porcelain or resin composite materials which can help fix discolored teeth, worn-down teeth, broken or chipped teeth, misaligned or irregular teeth, and gapped teeth.

Usually, you must replace your dental veneers after seven and 15 years of use.

Are You Interested in Custom Dental Prosthetics in Reno?

Having the confidence to smile with a complete set of teeth hits different. With the help of custom dental prosthetics, you do not have to worry about missing teeth anymore!  

If you are interested in custom dental prosthetics in Reno, visit Smile Design Implant Center. We are passionate about giving you the perfect smile you deserve using our state-of-the-art dental facilities and equipment! Contact us today to schedule your consultation.