Patients who are missing teeth are at risk for other oral health issues, such as bone loss and infection. It can also make eating and speaking difficult. Sometimes the teeth move out of their proper alignment (dental shifting).
Finding the tooth replacement option that is right for you is a personal choice. At Oral Surgery Services, we want to provide you with as many options and information as possible. Below are the most common tooth replacement options. If you are missing a single tooth or several teeth and are interested in a replacement, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Dental implants are a popular choice and offer a wide range of benefits:
Patients who do not qualify for other dental replacement options may find that they can be considered for dental implants. There is a good chance that you can be eligible as a dental implant candidate if you are healthy enough to undergo a minor dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction.
LEARN MOREFull-arch replacement is an ideal solution for patients who like the permanent and secure option of dental implants and are missing most or all of their teeth.
With a full-arch replacement, the prosthesis is placed on as few as four dental implant posts. Just like dental implants, if you are healthy enough to have a minor surgical procedure, then you are probably a candidate for the full-arch restoration procedure. More information about dental implants and the full-arch replacement procedure can be found by visiting our procedure pages on our website, or by calling our office to schedule a consultation.
LEARN MOREIf one or more teeth need to be replaced and are next to each other, a bridge may be recommended as a tooth replacement option. Tooth-supported bridges snap over several teeth to bridge the gap created by the missing tooth. The teeth that work to support the bridge are ground down to be able to receive the prosthesis. Some patients do not like the fact that healthy teeth have to be permanently reshaped. A dentist commonly places bridges.
Bridges are not sold as a permanent tooth replacement option; they need to be replaced after some time of normal wear and tear. The time between receiving and replacement of a bridge varies from patient to patient — sometimes they last as little as a few years. Over time, these replacement costs can add up, although they cost less up front.
Traditional full or partial dentures are still a common choice. They are completely removable by choice, which is a benefit to many patients who wear them. Dentures should fit snugly and not be painful to wear after the healing period. However, you may find that, as your mouth changes over time, your dentures do not fit as well as they used to. Some patients do not feel comfortable with their dentures from the beginning due to the unique structure of their mouth. Pre-prosthetic surgery is a solution to prepare the mouth to ensure a comfortable fit. Although dentures are fitted by your dentist, an oral surgeon performs pre-prosthetic surgery.
Oral Surgery Services offers many tooth replacement options and will work with you to find the option that best suits your lifestyle, budget, and preference. If you would like to learn more about your tooth replacement options, we encourage you to give us a call at one of our offices, located in Metairie and Gretna, LA. A member of our staff will schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons.
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