Prosthetic Care & Services

Dr. Del Valle provides complete prosthetic care. If you need to replace a single tooth, we may explore options like a conventional dental bridge or a crown supported by a single dental implant secured in the jawbone. For patients who are missing at least two teeth, options include traditional bridges, partial dentures, and either crowns or bridges that are supported by dental implants. Lastly, patients who are missing most or all of their teeth may benefit from transformative conventional dentures, or full-arch restorations, or implants stabilized by dental implants. Dr. Del Valle can even “retrofit” existing dentures with implants to improve their fit.

Dental prosthetics can be truly life-changing. By filling gaps in patients’ smiles, there is a newfound confidence. Patients are able to enjoy a nutritious and varied diet and to chew without pain and difficulty. Additionally, we recommend that damaged or extracted teeth be replaced promptly to avoid the many complications associated with prolonged tooth loss. These complications include shifting of remaining teeth, which tend to drift toward the empty space. Also, when the jaw loses the stimulation that it gets from the teeth, the bone shrinks. Bone loss is a destructive process that can add years to your facial appearance and can make speech and chewing difficult if not treated.

All prosthetics can prevent neighboring teeth from shifting, and implants can help prevent bone loss. Since the implants are placed in the jaw and connected to the prosthetic, the bone gets the stimulation it needs to stay healthy and dense.

Treatment varies depending on the type of prosthetic that you choose. All prosthetics are made with advanced imaging technologies and quality materials that can be shade-matched to the color of the teeth (and gums, as needed). The process of getting implant-retained prosthetics is generally longer and requires additional steps than either conventional bridges or dentures. We must surgically place the implant(s) in the jaw and wait for it/them to heal with the surrounding bone. This can take several months. While implants may take longer and cost more upfront, they can be a preferred option due to their stability and durability.

Care, too, varies by type. For instance, removable dentures require special products and cleaning and soaking techniques that are not necessary with non-removable, implant-supported dentures. We can advise on home care that is tailored to your needs. All prosthetics require regular follow-up care at our office. During your visit, Dr. Del Valle can check that all components of your prosthetic teeth are in “good working order.” She also checks the surrounding tissues to ensure they are healthy and do not have signs of damage. The tissues around the implant are vulnerable to a gum disease-like inflammation that can lead to implant failure, so it is essential to maintain good home hygiene and to have routine professional hygiene visits as recommended by Dr. Del Valle.