Tooth Replacement Options From an Oral Surgeon

Your oral surgeon has the knowledge and training to replace your lost tooth. Losing teeth can affect your mental and physical health. It can also cause dental issues, such as dental decay and even more tooth loss. That is why replacing your lost teeth is necessary. Here are some tooth replacement options from your oral surgeon.

Fixed dental bridge

The oral surgeon may recommend a fixed bridge to connect the gap between missing teeth. This treatment often needs many dental appointments. Placing the dental implants into both sides of the gap will take some time to complete. The oral surgeon will also work with the lab to create a custom-fit bridge.

Placing the bridge will come next. This dental restoration will feel and look like natural teeth. The patient does not need to remove the bridge to clean it. This restoration can replace at least one tooth, which is more economical than having many dental implants.

Dental implant

This is the gold standard of dental restorations. The process involves replacing the missing tooth with a complete artificial tooth. A titanium rod will take the place of a natural dental root. The oral surgeon will cut into the gum tissue and then drill implant holes into the jawbone. The titanium rods will go into the holes and fuse with the bone and gum tissue.

A dental implant is a good replacement for one tooth. It provides the feel, look, and function of a natural tooth. This restoration can last for years with proper care and maintenance. The implant will not need repairs or replacements once the rods fuse well with the bone and tissue.

Removable partial denture

An oral surgeon can recommend a removable partial denture to replace a small area of missing teeth. The partial can look and function like natural teeth. Even so, it is not as durable as a bridge or an implant. Wearing it for long periods can result in discomfort.

Resin-retained dental bridge

This is less intrusive than a fixed bridge. It is a good dental replacement for lost front teeth because these teeth do not go through much pressure. A resin-retained dental bridge connects to the teeth on either side of the space. But this restoration does not last as long as a fixed bridge.

Removable complete denture

Having this dental restoration will depend on the number of remaining teeth that the patient has. This type of restoration can be invasive. The patient may need many trips to the oral surgeon. A removable complete denture can replace most or even all the patient’s missing teeth. Because of the discomfort, the patient must not wear this restoration all day.

Flipper

This dental restoration is a type of temporary partial denture. It can flip in and out. A flipper does not depend on its surrounding teeth. It does not even have any metal clasps. The oral surgeon can recommend this restoration if the patient wants a lighter, painless dental replacement.