Options For Replacing Missing Teeth

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, we have several options for replacing missing teeth. If one of your teeth was knocked out in an accident or removed due to decay, we can perform a procedure to replace it so you can regain the full function and appearance of your smile.

If you live in Coral Gables, FL or the surrounding area, call (305) 614-2438 and schedule an appointment with our dental office. After examining you, we will recommend the procedure likely to provide the best results for your appearance and lifestyle goals.

Choosing a Tooth Replacement

In our Coral Gables dental office, we understand the importance of choice. Things like the type of food you like to eat, whether you play sports, and if you are outgoing or prefer to keep to yourself can impact which tooth replacement option is right for you. This is why, when you come in for a consultation, we will take time to ask questions and get to know you.

Asking about your hobbies and whether you work out may seem out of place for a dentist, but we have an important reason for doing so. For example, if you sing in the choir, dentures may not be a good solution for you because they could pop out of place. Or if you like to run marathons, you will need a tooth replacement solution that will not become loose with impact. After asking you questions and conducting a physical examination, we will recommend an option that will work best for your lifestyle.

Which Tooth Replacement Is the Most Natural Looking?

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, all of our tooth replacement options are natural looking and durable. However, if you are looking for one that looks, feels, and behaves just like a natural tooth, we must recommend a dental implant.

A dental implant is a titanium post that goes underneath the gums, replacing the tooth’s roots. After several months, the titanium will fuse with the jawbone, in a process called osseointegration, to create a new root system that is as strong as the original. Once your dental implant has healed, we will attach a prosthetic tooth that has been custom created to blend in with the teeth around it.

An implant is the next best thing to a natural tooth, but not everyone is a candidate. For patients who cannot get implants, there are other replacement solutions.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is created by securing a dental crown to the two teeth on either side of the missing one. The crowns anchor a prosthetic tooth in place, bridging the gap.

A dental bridge is the most durable, non-surgical solution you can get to replace a missing tooth because it is firmly attached. Many of our patients prefer this as an alternative to dentures, while being less invasive than implants.

Dentures

In some cases, dentures are the best way to replace missing teeth. While not as durable or sturdy as an implant or bridge, dentures are a viable solution for patients missing several or all of their teeth. Dentures are an immediate solution while waiting for another cosmetic procedure. Additionally, if you do not have any strong, remaining teeth, dentures may be necessary. In this situation, modern dentistry has made it possible to make dentures that look natural and stay firmly in place.

Replacing Missing Teeth in Coral Gables, FL

Age and Tooth Replacement

At Gables Exceptional Dentistry, our goal is to provide you with a tooth replacement solution that is beautiful and natural looking and will work for your lifestyle. Age, while a factor in healthcare, has less to do with your ideal tooth replacement solution than lifestyle. For example, you could be in your 70s and not want to wear dentures, even though they are common. Regardless of your age, if you lead an active lifestyle, dental implants may be the best solution because they are the sturdiest option and will allow you to stay active.

One thing to be aware of is that when you lose a tooth, the process of resorption starts. Resorption is when the body starts to leach calcium from your jawbone and distribute it to the rest of the body.

The longer you wait to visit our Coral Gables dental office and have the tooth replaced, the less bone density you will have. When you then decide to replace the tooth, your options may be more limited. This makes replacing a missing tooth an urgent matter.

Call (305) 614-2438 to schedule an appointment with our dental office as soon as your tooth has either fallen out or been knocked out. During your appointment, we will examine your gums, take X-rays, and recommend the best tooth replacement option for your needs. Acting on this quickly will help you restore your appearance and oral health.

To learn more about tooth replacement options, call and schedule an appointment with our Coral Gables, FL dentist office today.

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. Which tooth replacement is right for me?

Q. What is the most durable tooth replacement?

Q. Will my age determine my options?

Dental Implant Terminology

Abutment

A component that attaches to the dental implant to support a prosthetic tooth for an aesthetically pleasing and fully functional smile.

Bone Augmentation

The process of rebuilding the bone to strengthen it enough for dental implants.

Bone Density

The amount of bone mineral in bone tissue.

Bridge

Multiple replacement teeth that are fixed in place via attachment to dental implants, natural adjacent teeth, or a combination of the two.

Dental Crown

An artificial tooth, usually made of porcelain.

Dental Implant

An artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.

Endosteal (endosseous)

A type of dental implant placed in the alveolar and basal bone of the mandible that transcends only one cortical plate.

Eposteal (subperiosteal)

A type of dental implant that conforms to whichever edentulous surface of an alveolar bone is superior.

Implant-Supported Bridge

A dental bridge that professionals fix in place with the use of dental implants inserted in the jaw to create a sturdy set of artificial teeth.

Oral Irrigator

A type of water-flosser device that uses a stream of water to clean between the teeth and improve gingival health.

Osseointegration

The process in which a titanium dental implant fuses with the surrounding bone over several months after an oral health professional places the implant in the jaw.

Periodontal

Literally “around the tooth.”

Removable Complete Denture

A complete denture that you can remove when necessary, at night, or to clean.

Resin Bonded Bridge

A dental bridge fixed to the surrounding teeth with a type of resin to provide a long-lasting solution.

Resorption

The process in which the body absorbs the calcium from the jaw when there are no tooth roots to cause the necessary stimulation.

Ridge Expansion

The process of widening the jaw for more dental implants when there is not enough space for an implant.

Transosteal (transosseous)

A type of dental implant that includes threaded posts that penetrate the superior and inferior cortical bone plates of the jaw.