Whether caused by decay, gum disease, trauma or age, tooth loss should never be ignored. Fortunately, modern restorative dentistry offers a variety of solutions — including dental implants, bridges and dentures — including implant-supported dentures — that can help restore both your smile and your quality of life.

The hidden toll of missing teeth

So first, let us start with function. Your teeth are designed to work as a team. When even one is missing, the neighboring teeth begin to shift to fill the space. Over time, this movement can lead to misalignment, bite issues and jaw discomfort. Additionally, the opposing tooth — the one that used to make contact with the now-missing tooth — may grow longer in search of resistance, a phenomenon called “supra-eruption.” This can lead to uneven wear, cracks or even further tooth loss.

Then there is the matter of chewing. Every bite you take relies on a full set of teeth to grind food effectively. When teeth are missing, especially molars, digestion begins to suffer. Improperly chewed food can lead to indigestion or nutrient deficiencies, particularly in older adults who already struggle with maintaining a healthy diet.

Speech is another unexpected casualty. Teeth are essential for pronouncing certain sounds. When front teeth are missing, patients often struggle with speaking clearly. This can affect self-esteem, professional confidence and social interactions.

Jawbone health and facial structure

Beyond daily function, tooth loss impacts the structure of your jaw. Natural tooth roots stimulate the jawbone, keeping it strong and healthy. When a tooth is lost, the underlying bone begins to deteriorate — a process called resorption. Over time, this leads to a sunken facial appearance, especially in the cheeks and lips and can make someone appear older than they are.

This bone loss can also make it more difficult to replace missing teeth in the future. That is why early restorative treatment is critical for long-term oral health.

Restoring more than a smile

Restorative dentistry offers several options to help patients reclaim their function, comfort and confidence:

• Dental implants: are often considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. They mimic the natural tooth root and integrate with the jawbone, preserving bone health and offering a stable, long-lasting solution.
• Dental bridges: are a great option for patients missing one or several teeth in a row. Anchored to neighboring teeth or implants, bridges “bridge the gap” and restore chewing and speaking function.
• Dentures: whether full or partial, are a tried-and-true method of restoring larger sections of missing teeth. Today’s dentures are more natural-looking and comfortable than ever, helping patients smile and eat with confidence.
  

A healthy mouth is a healthier you

As you can see, tooth loss affects more than just your appearance — it impacts how you eat, speak and feel and restores your ability to live fully and comfortably. Our prosthodontists at Denver Restorative Dentistry in Broomfield, CO, are experts in restorative dentistry. If you have been putting off replacing a missing tooth, now is the time to talk to our team. Your health — and your happiness — depends on it. Schedule your appointment on our website or by calling 303-586-1019 today!

But when teeth are lost for whatever reason, it’s important to replace them to avoid bone loss affecting your facial structure and appearance, your speech and chewing abilities. Fortunately, dentures are better today than ever before! Our experienced prosthodontists offer a variety of denture options, including hybrid technologies to give you unmatched stability and comfort.

Our Denture Options

• Full dentures
• Partial dentures
• Fixed dentures
• Removable dentures
• Anchored dentures
• All-on-4® implant dentures
• Overdentures
• Snap-on dentures
• Upper dentures and lower dentures

To help you find the right match for your unique oral health needs (and budget), our doctors, Dr. Goggins, Dr. Aguirre, Dr. Pitz and Dr. Poineal are pleased to offer a FREE Denture Consultation to evaluate your smile so you can determine which choice is best for your smile!

Thanks to our in-house dental lab, our team controls the whole process of getting dentures, from the moment you walk through our doors to fitting your final dentures, you can be confident you’re receiving the highest quality dentures for your needs. Our master technicians make different types of dentures to help you receive the perfect fit that will ultimately look and feel just like your own smile!

Denture Process/Preparation

One of our experienced doctors will sit down with you and explain your possible treatment options, whether you need to replace one or more teeth. Our goal is to help you eat, speak and smile comfortably again. For example, a partial denture is great for replacing multiple missing teeth as long as you still have natural teeth to support the partial dentures. Complete dentures can restore a full dental arch that has no supporting tooth structures. And All-on-4 implant dentures place a series of four to six dental implants that secure the denture to your jawbone. Once the implants have fully healed and the denture is connected to the implants, your new smile in dentures will feel and function just like your own teeth!

FREE Denture Consultation

If you are excited about the prospect of fixing your smile with the help of modern dentures, we are excited to help you find your perfect match! We offer you the information you need to make an informed decision without high-pressure sales tactics. Our goal is to make your experience a positive one! We have heard countless patients share how positive and life-changing their tooth replacement treatments have been for them.

If you are ready to look at your options in a no-pressure setting, we invite you to schedule your complimentary consultation. At the end of the day, our prosthodontists and team will make sure that your new dentures fit and make your smile look better than ever!

At-Home Routine (Brush and Floss)

Our prosthodontists and team is a firm believer in preventative care, which begins in the home. Daily brushing and flossing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste will help remove harmful oral plaque that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Sticking to a nutritious diet while limiting sugary and acidic foods and beverages will also protect tooth enamel. You are essentially on the front lines of defense when it comes to protecting your smile, and your teeth and gums will reflect this.

Routine Dental Cleanings and Exams

Your daily oral hygiene care, combined with regular, twice-yearly dental cleanings and exams complement your efforts to protect your smile. During these visits, our prosthodontists will assess your oral health with a detailed dental exam using dental X-rays. A periodontal probing will be done to assess your gum health and to diagnose any signs of gum disease. Dr. Taylor Goggins, Dr. Brian Aguirre and Dr. Anna Pitz want to make sure that any dental conditions or diseases, like tooth decay, bone loss or other dental problems are spotted early so treatment is minimally invasive and most effectively applied.

(Optional) Dental Sealants and Fluoride Treatments

One of our skilled dental hygienists will remove all the hardened tartar from your teeth and around the gum line, and polish your teeth to remove stains to make your tooth enamel shine! Depending on your dental needs, this is also the time when applying dental sealants on the hard to clean molars in the back of the mouth may be done, as well as applying a fluoride treatment if your enamel needs strengthening to keep out cavities. While optional, both dental sealants and fluoride treatments are effective preventative measures to take to ensure a healthier smile.

If you have any questions or concerns about your smile or family members, our experienced team is ready to help! As always, we support healthy beautiful smiles to boost self-confidence!