The average adult in the United States has 25 teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. We will explain why in a moment, but that statistic means there are many people who could benefit from restorative dentistry.
If you are one of them, you can restore your smile at our dentist office in Woodbury, MN. Dr. Mark Wilhelm is particularly qualified to help you get back more than just your smile.
To learn more, make an appointment by calling 651-319-9064 or by filling out our online form. Dental crowns, dental bridge, dentures, and dental implants could all be used to replace your missing teeth.
Tooth Loss And The Need For Restorative Dentistry
Earlier we mentioned that the average adult in the U.S. has 25 teeth, according to NIDCR. To be more specific, the average adult between 20 and 64 years old has 24.92 teeth, according to the latest figures.
That includes 3.75 percent of adults who no longer have any of their natural teeth.
A full set of permanent teeth has 32 teeth. This includes the four wisdom teeth that most people will have removed. That still leaves 28 teeth, which means the average American adult will lose three teeth in their lives.
Many people will never lose a tooth, and we certainly hope you are one of them. The data suggests that you or someone close to you will lose teeth at some point, however.
When that happens, we want you to remember Dr. Wilhelm’s number — 651-319-9064 — so you can get teeth replacements that you can rely on for years to come.
From a psychological perspective, losing teeth can cause you to lose confidence. We know because many patients have sought our help for this reason.
From a physical perspective, losing teeth can make it much more difficult to eat the foods that you enjoy. Many people consider eating on of life’s great pleasures. We want you to be able to eat all the foods that you like.
Restorative Options
The kind of restorative dental service you need will depend on how many teeth need to be replaced. That’s not the only factor, but it is a big part of the decision.
Let’s work our way up from the smallest to the biggest tooth loss solutions.
◼︎ Dental implants
If you were building a house, you would want a solid foundation to support it. The same is true for your tooth replacements. Dental implants provide that foundation.
Your natural teeth are one piece. The roots of your teeth anchor it in your jawbone. The crowns are the parts that people see when you smile. They also are what you use to bite and chew your food.
When you lose your teeth, you lose your whole tooth. Teeth replacements come as separate parts. A dental implant or dental implants provide a stable and secure foundation for the rest of your replacement tooth.
◼︎ Dental crowns
A dental crown can be used to replace a single tooth. With modern materials, your dental crown can look just like your natural tooth. Dental crowns can provide the same function as well, which means you can continue to eat the foods you want to eat.
When placed on a dental implant, you have a complete tooth replacement.
It’s worth mentioning that dental crowns also can be used to repair teeth that have been damaged as a result of an injury or tooth decay. These crowns can be bonded to the tooth to restore their shape and size.
◼︎ Dental bridges
Dental bridges are made of the same materials that are used to make dental crowns. In fact, dental bridges are made by fusing two or more dental crowns together.
Bridges can be used one of two ways. An implant-supported bridge is what you would think. First, dental implants are placed in your jaw. Then, the bridge is attached to the implants to fill the gap in your smile.
The second option is a traditional bridge. This is bonded to your teeth rather than a dental implant. In this process, the two teeth closest to your missing teeth are shaped into abutments. The bridge is bonded to those teeth to complete your smile.
◼︎ Dentures
You are probably familiar with traditional dentures. They rest outside your gums. Unfortunately, they can come loose more and more easily with time.
You can also get implant-supported dentures. By first getting a series of dental implants, you create a secure foundation for your dentures. When your dentures are attached to the implants, you regain your smile. You also can restore more of your biting power, which means you can bite and chew comfortably without worrying that your dentures will come loose.
Call If You Have Questions
If you are interested in learning more about restorative dentistry, then you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Wilhelm in Woodbury, MN.
You can reach us by phone at 651-319-9064 or by filling out our online appointment form.
