Do missing teeth need to be replaced? For some, replacing a missing tooth depends on whether it’s noticeable to others. However, missing teeth can affect more than the appearance of your smile. Though it’s difficult to understand just how important your teeth and gums play into your overall health and wellness, a gap from a missing tooth can leave you open to serious dental issues, including:
- Teeth migration and shifting
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of tooth decay
- Jaw joint (i.e. TMJ) pressure
- Jaw bone loss
- Altered bite
Instead of exposing yourself to dental complications or serious health concerns, it may be time to consider protecting your oral health by restoring your beautiful smile with prosthetic dentistry solutions.
What is the Best Option for Replacing Missing Teeth?
It’s difficult to determine which tooth-replacement option is best for you, as every patient has differing needs, concerns, medical history, jaw-bone conditions, etc. During your consultation at Dakota Dental, you can discuss your concerns and oral health goals, while our team of dental professionals assess your oral health with a comprehensive dental exam and perform any necessary diagnostic testing and/or imaging to recommend the best dental replacement option for you.
Depending on your unique needs and preferences, there are variety of tooth-replacement options from which to choose, including:
Dental Implants
Dental implants are arguably the most preferred option to replace teeth because of how durable and long lasting they are. Unlike other replacement options, dental implants are fastened to the jaw bone using a titanium post, providing superior strength and stability. Many of our Dakota Dental patients love the way that dental implants look and feel like natural teeth.
As a permanent tooth-replacement option, dental implants can be treated like your natural teeth and taken care of with the same oral hygiene routine (i.e. brushing, flossing, etc.), without having to remove them and clean them separately. From replacing a single tooth to an entire mouth, dental implants offer worry-free comfort without restricting your speech or diet, allowing you to continue doing the things you love. For more information about our implant dentistry services or to see if an implant is a viable option for you, talk with your Dakota Dental team at your next appointment!
Bridges
One effective way to complete your smile and replace one or more missing teeth is by using a dental bridge. A bridge fills in the empty space from the missing tooth (or teeth) with false teeth (i.e. pontics) that look like natural teeth. Dental bridges require anchors on both sides of the tooth gap to support the artificial teeth.
Oftentimes, your neighboring natural teeth are prepared to serve as anchors to your dental bridge, but implants can also be used as anchors. Your Dakota Dental team will happily discuss with you the different types of dental bridges that could work for your unique oral goals and needs.
Dentures
Dentures provide a removable solution to replacing missing teeth. Whether you have one missing tooth or several, Dakota Dental offers affordable denture options, including complete dentures, partial dentures, and mini-dental implants. Because dentures are removable, they’ll require unique care and maintenance in addition to your oral hygiene routine.
If you’re worried about shifting dentures or uncomfortable fittings, discuss your concerns with your Dakota Dental specialist and ask how denture stabilization can help alleviate some of your concerns.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Missing Teeth?
The cost to replace your teeth depends on a variety of factors, including the following:
- Which replacement option you choose (i.e. implant, bridge, dentures, etc.)
- How many teeth you’re replacing
- If extraction(s) is needed
- If there are oral health concerns that need to first be addressed
- Whether you require bone grafting
- What insurance coverage benefits you may have
There are several contributing factors, including more than listed above, that influence the cost of replacing your teeth.
For dental implants and bridges you’re likely to require multiple visits to complete the treatment, while some tooth-replacement options may be more expensive, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to see what aspects are important to you. For someone looking for the most convenient option that doesn’t interfere with how they experience eating, speaking, etc., they may opt for dental implants over traditional dentures.
Dakota Dental Offers Individualized Oral Care Options
Your oral health, needs, and goals are important to us here at Dakota Dental. We know that every mouth is unique and deserves individualized care. To give all our patients access to oral health care that meets their evolving needs and fits their busy schedules and budgets, we are proud to offer a variety of comprehensive dental services, including professional implant dentistry. Whether you’re looking to improve your oral health or restore your smile, our team of dental specialists are here to help listen to your needs, perform oral health assessments, and recommend a dental replacement option that’s a good fit for you.
Interested in replacing one or more of your teeth? Contact us today, or visit our website to schedule an appointment with your Dakota Dental team to discuss tooth-replacement options and develop your personalized treatment plan, so you can start feeling more confident in your smile, knowing your oral health is taken care of.