What Are My Tooth Replacement Options?

The idea of moving forward with tooth replacement and choosing a procedure can be a bit overwhelming because you want to pick the option that’s ultimately right for you. Fortunately, you’re not alone in your decision making as our Ann Arbor, MI, dentists are here to guide you through the entire process.

Here are the 3 most popular ways you can replace missing teeth at Excel Dental.

1. One or Multiple Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots commonly made of titanium that once topped with a dental crown, closely resemble natural teeth. In fact, implants blend in so seamlessly with the rest of your smile that most people will not even be able to tell you’ve had one (or multiple) placed by our dentists.

Shaped like small metal screws, dental implants are permanently embedded into your jawbone for long-term stability. That means they’re fixed in place and will not move while you eat, speak, and smile.

After our dentists have placed your dental implant, you will need time to heal and allow for the implant to properly fuse with your jawbone. On average, the healing process takes a few months but every patient is different and our dentists can discuss your individual situation with you.

Once fully fused and healed, the abutment, or connector piece, is placed and the crown is applied on top of that to complete the restoration.

2. Removable Dentures

Whether all of your teeth are missing or you do not want to commit to the dental implant process, our dentists can recommend a form of removable dentures to you. Both full and partial dentures are custom-made and involve false teeth attached to a gum-colored base that rests on top of your gum line.

Patients with many teeth gone are better suited for full dentures whereas those missing only one or two teeth will benefit more from partial dentures. Our dentists can perform a thorough dental exam and speak with you about what works best for your smile.

Unlike dental implants, dentures will take some time to get used to after they’re in place. You may notice excess saliva, a bulky or loose feeling, and a sensation that your tongue does not have enough room. All of this is normal and will dissipate after a few weeks of regular wear. If fit issues continue, our dentists would be happy to make adjustments for you.

3. A Dental Bridge

You can think of a dental bridge as just that, a bridge. This permanent, fixed form of tooth restoration often consists of one false, or pontic, tooth placed in the middle of two adjacent dental crowns. The false tooth is meant to rest on your gums while the crowns fit over two supporting abutment teeth.

The first step in receiving a bridge is the preparation of the abutment teeth. Our dentists will need to remove a small portion of enamel from these teeth so that the incoming crowns have room to properly fit on top. A temporary bridge will then be placed for protection until the final version is fabricated and ready for application.

If you’re looking to close a gap in your smile, a bridge is a great way to do just that. It’s durable, long-lasting, and is natural-looking so others will not suspect you have a dental bridge.

Speak With Our Team of Dentists

You owe it to yourself to take charge of your oral health and replace missing teeth. After all, you deserve to have a smile you love showing off! Our dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, can help you make that happen with our collection of restorative procedures. Call Excel Dental today at (734) 929-9999 or request an appointment online.