Problems with eating and speech are not the only difficulties caused by missing teeth. Patients may also experience bone loss and dental shifting, and many patients suffer from low self-confidence due to their smile. At North Sound Oral & Facial Surgery, we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way. There are many tooth replacement options available, and the one that is right for you will depend on several factors, such as your health history, current oral health condition, personal preference, and more. Please review the most popular tooth replacement options below to learn more — and feel free to contact us with your questions or to schedule a consultation.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are often considered the best option for a permanent, secure, and healthy tooth replacement solution. Implants can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth at a time. Patients with dental implants can smile, eat, and speak with confidence — that’s because dental implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth!
Most patients are suitable candidates for dental implants — anyone who is healthy enough to undergo a minor dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction, can receive dental implants.
How Dental Implants Work
The treatment process for dental implants is a collaborative effort — you, your oral surgeon, and your dentist will all work together to provide an optimal result. The screw, which is the base of the implant and acts as the new tooth’s root, is surgically placed by an oral surgeon. Because the screw is placed directly into the jaw bone and integrates with the rest of the bone over time, it is the most secure tooth replacement option. The connecting abutment is attached to the screw after the healing period, and, finally, your dentist places a crown on top of the abutment. The crown is custom made to look just like the rest of your teeth, which gives a natural appearance to the mouth.
Patients who are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth can benefit from dental implants. Read on to discover which tooth replacement option may be right for you.
Full-Arch Replacement
Patients who are missing all — or almost all — of their teeth on their upper or lower arch may benefit from a full-arch replacement. Just like its name implies, this dental implant-based solution restores an entire arch of teeth at once. The teeth are secured using as few as four dental implant posts, making it a permanent and popular alternative to removable dentures. Patients can eat, speak, and smile with ease, without any risk of the teeth slipping or falling out.
If you are healthy enough to undergo a minor surgical procedure, there is a good chance that you are healthy enough to receive the full-arch restoration. Your oral surgeon will determine your candidacy for this procedure during your consultation appointment and discuss all tooth replacement options with you.
Bridges (Tooth-Supported)
One or more teeth that need to be replaced and are situated next to each other may benefit from a bridge. By bridging the gap from a missing tooth, tooth-supported bridges are a popular option that can be done at your general dentist’s office. Tooth-supported bridges work by grinding down the surrounding teeth to accommodate the bridge, which is then snapped over the teeth. Although some bridges are removable, they are usually bonded to the tooth with a permanent adhesive.
Bridges are popular because they do not require a dental implant, can be performed by a general dentist, and are a cost-effective alternative to tooth replacement. However, bridges must be replaced after several years of normal wear and tear, and this increases the overall investment of money and time. Also, creating a bridge requires that healthy teeth be ground down, which can make some patients uncomfortable. Please talk to your dentist or oral surgeon to discover the solution that feels best for you.
Full or Partial Dentures
Full or partial dentures were once the only tooth replacement option. Although we now have many more choices for replacing missing teeth, traditional dentures remain a popular choice. Some patients may require pre-prosthetic surgery to fit a denture in a way that is comfortable or secure and will not cause sores and denture slipping.
As a removable tooth replacement solution, traditional dentures can be a great option. They allow patients to eat food more easily and can be removed when desired. Dentures are often fitted by your dentist. An oral surgeon may be needed when pre-prosthetic surgery is recommended.
Tooth Replacement Solutions at North Sound Oral & Facial Surgery
If you are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, there are several tooth replacement options available. North Sound Oral & Facial Surgery would like to help you achieve the solution that feels right to you. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation.