Your teeth can affect your whole body. When they’re healthy, you’re healthy too. One missing tooth can affect your bite, speech and dietary needs. As you rely more on your remaining teeth, you increase the chance they will wear out prematurely, be damaged, or lost. You may also experience headaches and/or jaw pain.

Who would want their appearance and health to deteriorate? That’s the natural consequence of missing teeth, the bone literally melts away. Generally, people will lose 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. Dental implants are more easily placed when teeth are first extracted because bone replacement becomes more complex as time passes. Implants act just like your natural teeth. They safeguard and preserve your bone structure, oral health and appearance. The restorative dentist and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon will provide you with options so that you can make the most informed decision concerning tooth replacement.

Tooth Replacement Options

There are several different options to replace your missing teeth both short and long-term.

A good candidate is anyone missing one or more teeth, or patients unhappy with their dentures. Age is often not a factor. However, smoking, and medical issues like diabetes, or radiation therapy to the head and neck, have been shown to lower the success rate of implant placement. X rays and/or 3D imaging of the site(s) will be taken at the consultation appointment to evaluate potential implant placement.

An example of a dental fixed bridge

Fixed Bridge

A fixed bridge is a connected set of replacement teeth. The adjacent teeth are prepped and the final restoration is cemented in place spanning the space.

A sample of a removable retainer with a plastic tooth known as a flipper

Acrylic Partial: “Flipper”

A fragile, plastic, removable denture that is retained by flexible metal wire clips.

A representation of a full denture for the entire lower jaw

Complete Denture

The most common solution for people missing all their teeth in one or both jaws are complete dentures. Some people adapt well to dentures, while others find them uncomfortable, even intolerable, because of differences in jaw size and shape.

A visual of a permanent dental implant to replace missing teeth

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.

 

If you would like a consultation, please contact Precision Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery online or by phone at Phoenix Office Phone Number (623) 518-2325.