Dental implants are the best way to replace a lost or missing tooth. Dental implants are biocompatible titanium implants that are placed into and “fuse” to bone. Once the bone heals around the dental implant, a crown can be connected to it and you have a brand new tooth to chew and eat on! Dental implants are the preferred method of replacing missing teeth since they do not rely on any other teeth in the mouth, are fixed to your bone, cannot get cavities, and are the only tooth replacement option that helps maintain your jaw bone. Dental implants come in single tooth implants, implant bridges, and implant supported dentures.

Before the invention of dental implants, dental bridges were considered the best way to replace a missing tooth. Today, dental bridges are still an excellent way to replace a missing tooth. Dental bridges require that a tooth be on either side of a gap (hence, bridging a gap). The teeth on either side are then prepared for crowns and a fake porcelain tooth is fused between the crowns, forming a bridge. The bridge is then cemented onto the teeth on either side of the gap. While not as elegant as a dental implant, dental bridges are still an excellent way to replace a missing tooth.

Anytime there are multiple missing teeth, dentures are an option. Dentures are a way to replace multiple missing teeth with a metal or plastic plate. This plate has multiple fake teeth fused into it, can be worn when smiling, talking, and eating, and can be taken out at night for cleaning and while you sleep.

For patients who are having difficulty eating and smiling with their dentures, there is good news. Dentures can be combined with implants to anchor them in place, providing better stability and function.