Your teeth influence your overall wellbeing. When your teeth are strong and healthy, your body benefits too. Losing a tooth can impact your bite, speech, and the types of foods you enjoy. Relying more on your remaining teeth may cause them to wear down faster or become damaged. You might also notice headaches or jaw discomfort.
Who would want their smile and health to decline? Unfortunately, missing teeth lead to bone loss—the jawbone can shrink by about 25% in the first year after tooth loss. Placing dental implants soon after extraction is easier because rebuilding bone later can be more complicated. The good news? Implants function just like natural teeth. They help maintain your jawbone, oral health, and appearance. Our caring dentist and implant surgeon will guide you through your options so you can make confident choices about replacing missing teeth.
Tooth Replacement Options
There are several ways to restore your smile, from temporary fixes to lifelong solutions.
Anyone missing one or more teeth or unhappy with their dentures can be a candidate. Age isn’t a barrier. However, smoking, diabetes, and radiation therapy in the area can affect implant success. We’ll take X-rays of your jaw to see if implants are suitable and whether additional tests or procedures are necessary.
Fixed Bridge
A fixed bridge connects replacement teeth and is cemented onto the adjacent natural teeth. To secure it, the outer layer of these supporting teeth is usually reduced or reshaped.
Flipper
A “flipper” is a removable plastic tooth with a plastic retainer. It’s a temporary, affordable option but tends to be fragile.
Metal Partial
A removable partial denture made of metal and plastic is sturdier than a flipper. It stays in place with wire clasps and can be taken out and put back in at your convenience.
Denture
Complete dentures replace all missing teeth in one or both jaws. While many adapt well to dentures, some find them uncomfortable due to differences in jaw shape and size.
Dental Implants
Dental implants offer the most comfortable, long-lasting solution. They provide a solid foundation for replacement teeth and help keep your jawbone healthy and strong. Implants support individual teeth or secure specialized dentures. Unlike bridges, implants don’t harm neighboring teeth and can last a lifetime. Implant-supported teeth are attractive, stable, and comfortable for nearly all patients.
Why Choose Dental Implants Over Traditional Restorations?
There are many reasons. Bridges require altering healthy teeth to fill the gap. Dentures or partials that you remove at night can be inconvenient. Plus, dentures that slip may cause discomfort or embarrassment.
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