Tooth Replacement Options
Thanks to our team of highly trained dental specialists, we are able to provide the full gamut of tooth replacement options in one comfortable office. Whether you need a single tooth replaced or a full arch, we will give you durable, stable new teeth that will enable you to chew and smile with confidence.
Our doctors have special training in treatment planning, and they lay out a custom treatment plan for each patient. They have a conservative approach to dentistry—meaning they will preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, and they will obtain the desired outcome with the minimum amount of treatment.
Before recommending replacement, they will try to save your natural teeth whenever possible. If your teeth are beyond saving, they will recommend the options that are most conducive to excellent long-term oral health, explaining every procedure in detail.
Highly Skilled Dental Specialists
The doctors work closely together on implant cases.
As a Harvard-trained prosthodontist, Dr. Kim is an expert in the aesthetic and functional replacement of teeth. He has three years of postgraduated training in the intricacies of smile restoration, including the treatment planning and creation of implant-supported teeth.
Our in-house periodontist, Dr. Ruprecht, is a dental specialist in the surgical placement of dental implants. She works together closely with Dr. Kim to provide state-of-the-art implant treatment, even for very complex cases.
Due to their advanced training and combined 30 years of experience, our doctors can successfully restore any mouth to full health, function and beauty.
Complimentary Dental Implant Consultation
If you need one or more teeth replaced, come in and see Dr. Kim to find out about your options. As a prosthodontist, Dr. Kim is an expert in determining what options will work best for each patient. Your visit will include:
- Meet with Dr. Kim
- Exam
- Consultation
- Get your questions answered
- Learn about treatment options
*This consultation does not include x-rays
To make an appointment, call 949-472-5499 or click here to request an appointment online.
Options for Replacing One or Several Missing Teeth
Dental bridges
Dental bridges can be used to replace one missing tooth or two missing teeth that are right next to each other. A dental bridge is made of porcelain and consists of several crowns (artificial teeth) that are firmly connected to each other. Each end crown of the bridge is placed over one of your natural teeth, and the tooth or teeth in the middle fill in the gap created by the missing teeth.
Placing a bridge is a relatively uncomplicated procedure that does not require surgery—however, it does require considerable shaving down of the two natural teeth adjacent to the gap. Bridges do not prevent bone loss in the jaw that occurs as a natural result of having missing tooth roots, and their average lifespan is only about ten years.
A bridge may be the most suitable tooth replacement solution if the adjacent teeth are already in need of crowns, if you have suffered extensive bone loss or are not a candidate for dental implant surgery. Every patient is different, and Dr. Kim can let you know his recommendations after a detailed oral exam.
Dental implants
A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces a missing tooth root. Dental implants can be used to support a crown, bridge or denture, depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. Implant-supported teeth can be used to replace anywhere from a single tooth an entire arch of teeth.
Dental implants have several advantages over other forms of tooth replacement. They replace the roots along with the visible parts of teeth, they prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, and they help prevent bone loss in the jaw. They feel, look and function just like natural teeth and, with proper maintenance, they can last a lifetime.
Implant-supported bridges
An implant-supported bridge is a series of connected porcelain crowns that are supported by implants. Implant-supported bridges are used to replace anywhere from three missing teeth in a row to a full arch of teeth.
Dentures
Dr. Kim provides high-quality full and partial dentures. As part of his prosthodontic education, he received extensive training on how to make dentures that fit great and are functional and stable in the mouth. Dr. Kim’s dentures are made from high-quality materials, according to an exact protocol that ensures the best results.
Removable implant-supported dentures
For full-arch tooth replacement, another option our doctors provide is removable implant-supported dentures. These are full-arch dentures that snap onto implants that are stably fixed in the jaw—minimally two implants for the lower jaw and four implants for the upper jaw. Anchoring a denture with implants in this way provides full stability and greatly increased chewing power.
Removable implant-supported dentures are the most economical full-arch tooth replacement option using implants. They provide a greatly improved quality of life, as compared to traditional dentures.
If you are currently wearing dentures that fit well and are in good shape, Dr. Kim may be able to stabilize your existing dentures using implants, turning them into removable implant-supported dentures.
Fixed-in full-arch teeth with DENTCA-4
For the ultimate in aesthetics and chewing power, our doctors provide lifelike porcelain teeth that are permanently fixed in your mouth, just like real teeth. Using state-of-the-art DENTCA-4 technology, they create and stably place a full set of teeth, using only four implants in each arch.
DENTCA-4 teeth are made from a digitally fabricated, single block of zirconia porcelain, an ultra-strong dental ceramic that is well-known for its extreme durability and natural appearance. With permanently fixed-in teeth, you will be able to brush your teeth as usual and you will have nearly full natural chewing power. Your teeth will be strong and beautiful, and you will be able to eat whatever you want!
To make an appointment, call 949-472-5499 or click here to request an appointment online.