People want to have confidence in their smile, but missing a tooth makes that more difficult. Whether tooth loss resulted from a sports injury, decay, or gum disease, people often find themselves uncomfortable smiling with friends and loved ones. Luckily, there are numerous dental care options available to replace a missing tooth. Understanding the benefits of each will help you decide which one is best for you.

What Tooth Replacement Options Are Available?

1. Dental Implant

A dental implant involves a titanium rod that’s anchored in the jawbone and later capped with a realistic crown. The process can take anywhere from three to six months because it requires multiple steps to surgically attach the implant and give it time to fuse and heal before the crown is attached.

When it’s done, though, you’ll have a very natural replacement that will look and function like a normal tooth for decades. An implant is a more expensive option, however, and is only recommended for ideal candidates. This includes people who have adequate jawbone density for anchoring, don’t grind their teeth or smoke, and aren’t on medications that suppress the immune system.

2. Dental Bridge

This dental care option is similar to an implant, but rather than anchoring the replacement tooth into your jawbone, it’s supported by the remaining surrounding healthy teeth to fill in the gap. Since it’s attached to its neighbors without the need for surgery, it’s a much more cost-effective option and still provides a natural smile once inserted.

However, this method does put added stress on the surrounding teeth, which can exasperate any underlying dental issues. Its life span can range anywhere from five to 15 years since it’s less durable than an implant.

3. Partial Denture

This is both the most economical choice as well as the only one that allows you to remove the replacement whenever you need to. A partial denture is an artificial prosthesis that’s fitted into the area of the extraction by a dental care provider.

This solution is recommended for anyone who will need additional teeth replaced over time because more teeth can be added to the frame at any time while still keeping the healthy teeth you have. Since it can be removed, it’s not as durable as the other options. Finally, you must be more diligent about cleaning the area where it’s inserted to prevent plaque buildup and gum disease risk.

 

If you’re looking for a replacement solution after a tooth extraction, contact the dental care experts at Enterprise Dental Associates in Coffee County, AL. For almost 40 years, their highly trained team has provided local residents with the highest level of cosmetic dentistry treatments available. Using their state-of-the-art equipment, they’ll work with you to find the right replacement option and provide safe and reliable treatments to give you confidence in your smile again. Schedule an appointment by calling (334) 347-9564 or learn more about their services online.