Losing a tooth can be more than just a cosmetic concern. Missing teeth can impact your speech, bite, and your overall oral health. But modern dentistry offers a variety of effective solutions for replacing missing teeth. We tailor care to different needs, lifestyles, and budgets. Whether you’ve lost a tooth due to injury, decay, or gum disease, understanding your treatment options is the first step toward restoring your teeth and confidence.
The Top Options for Tooth Replacement
Do you have a knocked-out tooth or full arches of missing teeth? We offer multiple options to replace one or more missing teeth at Claremont Dental. Dr. Patel will find the right treatment option to meet your needs.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the most popular and long-lasting solutions for missing teeth. An implant is a small titanium post we surgically insert into the jawbone that serves as an artificial root. Once the implant integrates with the bone, we place a custom-made crown on top to replicate the look and function of a natural tooth.
Implants are highly durable, resistant to decay, and help maintain jawbone structure by stimulating bone growth. They’re an ideal option for patients who want a permanent replacement.
But not everyone is a good candidate for implants. Patients need enough bone density and good overall oral health. The process can take several months from start to finish. Dr. Patel can help you become a candidate for gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, or bone grafting. Many patients also benefit from implants because, even though it takes longer to get replacement teeth, implants last longer.
Dental Bridges
Our dental bridges are a reliable option if you don’t want surgery. A bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth anchored in place by crowns placed on adjacent healthy teeth. This bridge spans the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
Bridges could restore both function and appearance and you can get one in just a few dental visits. But they require altering the surrounding teeth, which must be filed down to support the crowns. Over time, the underlying bone where the tooth was lost may continue to deteriorate. Bridges don’t stimulate the jawbone like implants. Still, they remain a strong and aesthetic solution for many patients.
Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances that replace several missing teeth. They come in two main types. Full dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Partials fill in the spaces when you still have some natural teeth left.
Today’s dentures are much more comfortable and natural-looking than they used to be. They can help you chew your food, speak more clearly, and even improve your facial appearance by giving support to your lips and cheeks. However, dentures do require regular care, and they may need to be adjusted over time as your mouth changes. You should also know that dentures do not prevent bone loss, because they rest on the gums rather than connect with the jawbone.
Implant-Supported Dentures
If you want a hybrid solution, implant-supported dentures combine the stability of dental implants with the coverage of traditional dentures. Unlike removable dentures that sit on the gums, these dentures are anchored to implants placed in the jaw. This provides much more security so you can eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Implant-supported dentures are helpful if you’ve struggled with discomfort or slipping dentures in the past. Because they’re firmly attached to implants, they stay in place and don’t shift when you chew or talk. They also create a stronger bite so you can enjoy a wider variety of foods.
While implant-supported dentures may cost more initially and require a minor surgical procedure, they often provide a long-term, life-changing solution. With proper care, they can last for many years and greatly improve daily comfort, oral function, and overall quality of life.
How to Choose the Right Option
Choosing the best treatment for missing teeth depends on several important factors. Your overall oral health, your budget, your daily habits, and what you feel most comfortable with all play a role in making the right decision. Some patients may benefit from dental implants, while others may be better suited for dentures or bridges.
The best way to decide is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel. During your visit, Dr. Patel will examine your mouth, review your medical history, and listen to your goals. This helps us recommend the option that fits your needs and supports your long-term oral health.
Thanks to modern dental technology, tooth replacement treatments are more effective, comfortable, and natural-looking than ever before. Whether you want something fixed and long-lasting or removable and affordable, you have many choices.
Treat Tooth Loss Today
At Claremont Dental Institute, we understand the importance of a complete bite. If you have lost teeth or need an extraction, we’re here to help. We offer a wide range of restorative dentistry treatment options to improve your smile and quality of life. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and see which treatment could be right for you.