You can select from a number of different options to replace your missing teeth—from temporary to long-lasting solutions.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution. They form a strong foundation for teeth and keep the jaw healthy and strong. Implants support individual replacement teeth or secure specialized dentures in place.
A good implant candidate is anyone missing one or more teeth, or who is unhappy with their dentures. Age is not a factor. However, smoking, diseases such as diabetes, and radiation therapy to the area have been shown to lower the success rate of implant placement. X-rays of your jaw will be taken to evaluate whether it will accommodate implants. Detailed X-rays may also be required to determine if other tests or procedures are needed to place implants properly.
Fixed Bridge
A fixed bridge is a connected set of replacement teeth. For support, it is cemented into position on top of the teeth adjacent to the space. The protective outer layer of these teeth is usually removed or ground down before attaching the bridge.
Flipper
A fragile, temporary, and inexpensive solution is a removable plastic tooth with a plastic retainer, often called a “flipper”.
Metal Partial
A less fragile option is a removable partial denture cast in metal and plastic. It is held in place by wire clips. A removable partial denture can be removed and reinserted when required by the patient.
Denture
The most common solution for people missing all teeth in one or both jaws is complete dentures. Some people adapt well to dentures. Others find them uncomfortable, even intolerable, because of differences in jaw size and shape.