As a prosthodontist, Dr. Bhave is a dental specialist in the replacement of missing teeth. This makes her one of the best dentists you can visit if you are missing teeth or have broken-down teeth that need to be replaced. She provides a full range of tooth replacement options, including implant-supported new teeth.
Dr. Bhave works with a high-tech local lab to create durable replacement teeth that meet her exacting standards of aesthetics and function. Her combined skills in prosthodontics and dental implant placement make it possible for you to receive all aspects of your treatment in the comfort of our office.
Why Choose Dr. Bhave for Tooth Replacement
Dr. Bhave is very interested in your goals for your teeth and will pay close attention to what you want to achieve. After a comprehensive exam to determine what options can fulfill your needs, she will explain each of your available options and answer all of your questions. She will recommend the best treatment plan for you based on your specific circumstances.
Below are our options for replacing a single tooth, several missing teeth in a row or a full arch of teeth.
Options for Replacing One or Several Missing Teeth
Dental Implant and Crown for a Single Missing Tooth
A dental implant is a titanium post inserted into the jaw to function as a replacement root for a missing tooth. Dental implants have the stability and strength of real tooth roots. Implant-supported crowns feel, function and look just like natural teeth and have full chewing power.
Dental implants are the longest lasting single tooth replacement option. They allow you to brush and floss like a normal tooth, which helps prevent gum disease. They don’t require removing tooth structure from adjacent, healthy teeth like dental bridges do. Additionally, dental implants are the only option that creates the chewing pressure needed to prevent bone loss in the jaw. For these reasons, Dr. Bhave recommends dental implants for almost all patients needing to replace a single tooth.
Implant-Supported Bridge for Several Missing Teeth in a Row
An implant-supported dental bridge can replace several missing teeth in a row. By placing 2 or more implants, Dr. Bhave can use them to support a dental bridge instead of using an individual implant and crown for each tooth that is missing. This is a more economical way of replacing several teeth in a row.
Dr. Bhave recommends implant-supported bridges as a better option than multiple individual implants if there is a need to create an artificial gum line as part of the tooth replacement. Implant-supported bridges have nearly the same strength as natural teeth and provide the chewing pressure needed to maintain the bone volume underneath the bridge.
Dental Bridge
Dental bridges can also be used to replace one or two missing teeth in a row. To place a bridge, the teeth on each side of the gap must be ground down so the bridge can be secured on top of them.
Bridges can be a good option when the adjacent teeth are also in need of restoration, or when there is not enough bone in the jaw to support an implant without extensive bone grafting. Dental bridges do not require surgery or bone grafting, and can provide replacement for a missing tooth rapidly and at less cost.
Dr. Bhave can create dental bridges out of a variety of high-quality materials, and chooses which material will work best for your specific needs. She ensures they look natural and fit comfortably in your bite.
“Maryland” Bridge to Replace a Single Tooth
For a single missing tooth in the front of your smile, Dr. Bhave can sometimes create and place a “Maryland” bridge. A Maryland bridge is a single replacement tooth with small wings on each side that are bonded to the back of the adjacent teeth.
This is less invasive than a conventional dental bridge as it requires no grinding down of adjacent teeth, though the wings are not as strong a support structure for the replacement tooth as a connected crown. Dr. Bhave will let you know if this type of bridge could work for you.
Removable Partial Denture for Several Missing Teeth in a Row
Though a removable partial denture provides the least chewing power of all options and does not prevent further bone loss in the jaw, it can be a good option for older patients with complex medical conditions who would not be a good candidate for implants. Dr. Bhave creates partial dentures that are durable, natural-looking and well-fitting.
Options For Replacing a Full Arch of Teeth
Implant-Supported Fixed-in New Teeth
Dr. Bhave can place from six to eight implants in your arch to support a full-arch set of new teeth that are firmly fixed onto the implants. These new teeth have close to the chewing power of natural teeth and are the strongest and most lifelike option for full-arch tooth replacement. The replacement teeth will be stable in your mouth. They won’t slip or move around when you talk or eat. They will look great, restore the shape of your face, and give you a beautiful new smile.
Implant-Supported Fixed-in New Teeth
All-on-4® New Teeth in One Day
Dr. Bhave can provide eligible candidates with implant-supported fixed-in new teeth that are supported by four specially designed dental implants. Known as the “All-on-4” procedure, no bone grafting is needed for most patients, and the new teeth provide up to 80% of the chewing power of natural teeth. With All-on-4, Dr. Bhave can perform any needed extractions, place all of your implants and provide you with a functional set of temporary replacement teeth—all in the same day.
Implant-Supported Snap-On Removable Denture
As an economical alternative to fixed-in new teeth, Dr. Bhave can place from four to six implants in your dental arch which support a denture that snaps firmly on to the implants. This denture c
an be removed by you at any time. When snapped on, the denture will not slip, will not need adhesives to hold it in place and will provide over three times the chewing power of a conventional denture.
Snap-On Implant-Supported Dentures
Conventional Full Dentures
For patients who cannot take advantage of our dental implant options, Dr. Bhave recommends conventional upper and lower complete dentures. She creates durable dentures that fit comfortably, provide proper bite alignment and look very natural. Prosthodontists are specially trained in dentures and receive additional training and experience creating them beyond that of a general dentist. Everything from the initial consultation, to the impressions, to the delivery of the final denture is done in a very specialized manner. If you need dentures, a prosthodontist is the ideal dentist to get them from.
Schedule a Dental Consultation
If you have missing teeth or broken-down teeth that need to be replaced, come see Dr. Bhave for a Complimentary Consultation. She will give you an oral exam and will let you know what options are available to you. She will thoroughly explain the benefits of each option and will answer all of your questions.
