Life Smiles Dental Care is OPEN

Life Smiles Dental Care is OPEN to help you with your routine care. In response to the spread of COVID-19, to keep our communities safe we are taking numerous precautions. We are here to help you at Life Smiles Dental Care with all your dental needs. You may either call (602) 786-5484 or contact us through Virtual Consultation to book an appointment.

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Team Life Smiles Dental

We now offer Telehealth. Book a Virtual Consultation

New Patients: (602) 786-5484

Existing Patients: (602) 404-7266

4611 E Shea Blvd, Ste 250
Phoenix , AZ 85028 | Direction

Dentures

Click the following links for case examples and explanations of the following types of denture solutions:

Replacing all the upper or lower teeth with a “snap on” denture

Replacing all the upper or lower teeth with a fixed “hybrid” denture

Replacing all the upper or lower teeth with a titanium bar and removable denture

Gaps in your smile can be embarrassing and take an emotional toll. But missing teeth also invite harmful pathogens and promote infection. The functions we take for granted, eating, and speaking comfortably and correctly can be compromised. Even when teeth are gone, they impact adjacent teeth; neighbors bear uneven pressure from everyday functions and are pushed out of proper position. Consult with Life Smiles Dental Care to discuss your options to replace one tooth, a mouthful of teeth (and everything in between), and to avoid more damage. Drs Paul Nielson and Timothy Schmidt may recommend systems like well-fitting, advanced dentures in Phoenix, AZ. These and other restorative treatments help you avoid devastating consequences to both your oral health as well as your overall well-being.

Sink into tooth replacement, an introduction

Dental implants present a resilient, well-established alternative to traditional tooth replacement, should you need to replace a single tooth or a mouth full of missing or severely damaged teeth. In fact, implant-retained teeth can hold up for a lifetime. They don’t decay like natural teeth. All that is required is the usual good oral hygiene to prevent the implant itself from developing a condition that is similar to gum disease.

The dental implants themselves are designed to replace missing tooth roots. When they join the supportive bony tissue in the jaw, the implants create a strong foundation for prosthetic teeth that appear, feel, and behave like healthy and natural tooth structure.

Dr. Nielson’s advanced clinical expertise and knowledge of the latest techniques associated with implant-retained designs and prosthetics informs your care at the Life Smiles office. His sophisticated training and skills provide peace of mind, and Dr. Nielson is passionate about this work; in fact, implants are one of his most enjoyable procedures. He is so confident in his ability to create a successful result that a limited warranty is available for his implant work — with coverage for eight years!

The dental implants process at Life Smiles Dental Care is straightforward. We can handle everything from removing the tooth to grafting (if the bone has resorbed) to surgically placing the implant. You do not have to visit another office or specialist’s practice.

Many patients may assume surgical placement of the titanium implant is a big procedure. But they are often pleasantly surprised by how simple (not to mention, relatively painless) the treatment is – they can get back to the office and their busy lives without missing a single workday or contending with considerable downtime. We are proud of our track record exceptional outcomes, achieved consistently and predictably.

Dr. Nielson’s partnerships with skilled ceramicists also assure that the restoration, made with dental ceramic, is as durable as it is attractive, and is “friendly” to neighboring tissues. These crowns and other restorations do not irritate surrounding gums, nor do they promote disease-producing bacteria. They are built to last and last.

This approach is widely considered to be the “gold standard” method to replace missing or irrevocably damaged teeth. But is it right for you? Call Life Smiles Dental Care (602) 786-5484 to schedule a complimentary consult at our Phoenix, AZ office.

REPLACING ALL THE UPPER OR LOWER TEETH WITH A “SNAP ON” DENTURE:

Example #1:

PATIENT HISTORY: Referred to Life Smiles by his daughter, Debra, Dale was missing many teeth. The remaining teeth were in poor condition due to cavities and gum disease. So, this situation called for full or complete dentures.

Since Dr. Nielson is adept at offering immediate dentures, Dale was able to receive both his upper and lower denture the same day his remaining teeth were extracted. He did not have a single, completely toothless day! A “twist” on conventional dentures, the upper denture was held in place with natural suction, thanks to an exceptional fit. Due to the unique anatomy of the floor of the mouth, Dr. Nielson stabilized the lower denture with two implants strategically placed in the jaw. The denture “snaps” off and on to attachments connected to the implants. So, Dale’s new teeth aren’t going anywhere!

Before

Implant Before 07

Before

Implant Before 07

After

Implant After 07

REPLACING ALL THE UPPER OR LOWER TEETH WITH A FIXED “HYBRID” DENTURE:

Example #1:

PATIENT HISTORY: When this patient came to us, his bridges were starting to show their age; they were worn and made him appear “long in the tooth.” Additionally, the bridges that replaced all of his lower back teeth, were threatened by gum disease. The anchor teeth that supported the bridge were no longer in a healthy state. Knowing these bridges would have to be removed, Dr. Nielson designed a complete lower implant “hybrid” denture to replace all of the lower teeth. At no time did this patient go without a set of fixed lower teeth. As you can see, the result is dramatic. We took years off of his smile!

Hybrid Denture Before
Hybrid Denture After 01
Hybrid Denture After 02

Example #2:

PATIENT HISTORY: Dental problems were a lifelong challenge for this patient. You wouldn’t know it today, but she was missing many teeth. Gaps were filled with flimsy partial dentures. Dr. Nielson removed all of the upper teeth and lower back teeth. The upper teeth were replaced with a durable fixed “hybrid” denture, while the lower back teeth were restored with fixed, implant-supported dental crowns. Unlike flimsy partials, these crowns look and feel lifelike and withstand all the force that bears down on the back teeth from grinding and chewing food.

Hybrid Denture Before After 02

REPLACING ALL THE UPPER OR LOWER TEETH WITH A TITANIUM BAR AND REMOVABLE DENTURE:

A patient’s lower or upper teeth may all need to be extracted due to factors like disease, malnutrition, and genetic disorders. That can be quite devastating from the outset; however, our patients quickly discover that it is an exceptional opportunity. They get a second chance at a healthy, stunning smile.

Complete dentures support efficient and comfortable chewing, clear speech, and facial structure. Immediate dentures allow for you to get your new teeth as gum tissues heal, and bone conforms to your post-extraction mouth. Since this process may require around six months, immediate dentures are a welcome interim alternative to conventional dentures placement.

For some patients, complete dentures are not necessary. With partial dentures, several teeth can be restored and secured to the healthy teeth that are present with clasps. Depending on the location and number of missing (as well as healthy) teeth, you may be a great candidate for this option.

Your new teeth, regardless of design, are in good hands at the office of Life Smiles Dental Care in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Nielson is adept at preparing, designing, and placing dentures that look as natural as the teeth that developed with you, and that match your facial structure and desired, vibrant tooth color.

To schedule your complimentary consultation at Life Smiles, please call (602) 786-5484 today. We look forward to providing more details on the tooth replacement option that is best for you.

 

Dr. Paul Nielson, DDS, MAGD earned a zoology degree from Brigham Young University before completing dental studies at University of Washington, Seattle. He has practiced dentistry for over a decade, and has followed continuing education to exceed the state’s licensing requirements. He’s a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and holds membership in many professional associations. He’s especially interested in implant, cosmetic and sedation dentistry; and full mouth rehabilitation.
Dr. Timothy Schmidt, DMD, FAGD studied in Utah and Oregon, before serving at University of Washington School of Dentistry as an affiliate instructor. Then he returned to Arizona to serve his local community. As a member of several prestigious dental organizations, he aims to provide comfortable treatments delivering natural-looking and long-lasting results. He aims to raise dental healthcare standards through ongoing education, new technologies and by listening to patients’ concerns.
Dr. Jared Bishop earned his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University in Utah, after which he completed his dental school training at Midwestern University in Glendale. Having completed a 1 year residency, Dr. Bishop was also honored to practice dentistry in the U.S. Army for 5 years. As a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Arizona Dental Association, Dr. Bishop keeps up with current dental technology, techniques, and materials to provide his patients with the highest standard of care.


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