If you're missing teeth, replacing them will help restore both your confidence and your dental health. There are several different ways dentists replace missing teeth, including dental implants, dentures, and dental bridges. The guide below offers insight into each one, so you can work with a dentist to decide on the right solution.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a small titanium or ceramic post that is inserted into the jawbone where the roots of the missing tooth used to be. Once it fuses with the bone, it can support a single false tooth. It can also be used to secure larger bridges or dentures.

Implants are permanent and stable, and they protect the bone in the area from deteriorating by providing stimulation the same way your natural tooth roots do.

Dental Bridges

A bridge is a dental appliance that can replace one or more teeth in a row. The ends of a bridge usually connect to other teeth in your mouth for support.

To make this solution work, you need to have healthy teeth remaining on at least one side of the gap to fill, or you'll need an implant to support the appliance. Bridges come in several versatile varieties, many of which look natural and unobtrusive. It may be a better choice than implants if you don't have enough bone in the area to support one.

Dentures

Dentures are the preferred choice when you've lost one or both rows of teeth. They're made up of a whole row of teeth set in natural-looking gum tissue or in two rows connected with a hinge.

They can fasten to the roof of your mouth with an adhesive or suction or be held in place with an implant. They're convenient to adjust and replace as your mouth changes, and they don't require you to have remaining teeth to wear them.

If you need dental implants or any other restorative dental work, visit Hill Country Dental Associates in Kerrville, TX. Serving Kerr County, they focus on education and prevention to make it as easy as possible to maintain your oral health, while also offering state-of-the-art cosmetic and restorative solutions to improve your smile and strengthen your bite. Visit their website to see a list of options, or call them at (830) 257-3000 to schedule an appointment.