Tooth Replacement Options

Eating and speaking can sometimes be difficult for patients who are missing teeth. In addition, many patients experience a decrease in their self-esteem. Other oral health problems, such as bone loss and dental shifting, are also common. Lakeside Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery offers several tooth replacement solutions. Your personal preference, current oral health condition, and other factors will help you and your oral surgeon determine the best tooth replacement treatment for you. You can review the most commontooth replacement optionsbelow to learn more.

Give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation. We look forward to meeting you to discuss your options for tooth replacement.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a secure and permanent tooth replacement option that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. After their procedure, our dental implant patients are very happy with their investment. They find that they can eat, speak, and smile with confidence, which improves their self-esteem and quality of life.

Dental implants have three parts: the post (or screw), the abutment, and the crown. First, the medical-grade titanium post will be placed directly into the bone that supports your teeth. During the healing period, the post will fuse with the bone around it to become a new and completely secure foundation for your crown. After the healing period, the connecting abutment is attached to the post, and then your dentist will place the crown on top of the abutment. The crown is custom-designed to look and feel like a natural tooth in your mouth.

Read ourDental Implantpage to learn more.

Full-Arch Replacement

If you need a replacement for an entire upper or lower arch of teeth at once, your oral surgeon may recommend a Full-Arch Replacement. Full-Arch Replacement is a popular and cost-effective option because an entire arch of teeth can be supported using as few as four dental implant posts — and, unlike traditional dentures, there is no risk of the replacement teeth slipping or falling out. Patients can quickly enjoy eating the foods they like, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence again.

Many patients are qualified candidates for this type of oral surgery procedure. When you meet with Dr. Bale for your consultation, he will determine your candidacy and help you decide if Full-Arch Replacement is the best option for you.

You can learn more about this tooth replacement option by visiting ourFull-Arch Replacement page.

Bridges (Tooth-Supported)

A dental bridge is a common option if one or more teeth that are positioned next to each other need to be replaced. Tooth-supported bridges bridge the gap left by a missing tooth.

Your dentist will reshape the surrounding teeth to prepare for a tooth-supported bridge. The bridge is then snapped over the re-shaped teeth. Most bridges are permanently bonded to the teeth, but some are removable. Although bridges are a cost-effective tooth replacement option and can be performed by your dentist, they need to be replaced after several years of wear. Also, some patients are uncomfortable with their healthy teeth being altered to fit a bridge.

Full or Partial Dentures

Partial or complete dentures are still a popular tooth replacement option. Patients can eat many foods comfortably with dentures, and they can be removed at your convenience. Most of the time, a dentist will fit you with traditional dentures.

Dentures are designed to fit snugly on top of a bony ridge along the gums. In some cases, the mouth is not the correct size or shape to accommodate a denture. If so, issues such as sores and denture slipping can develop. If your dentures are causing discomfort, you may be referred to an oral surgeon for pre-prosthetic surgery. This type of oral surgery ensures that your dentures will fit more precisely for an ideal fit.