Patients who have missing or broken teeth commonly experience difficulties eating and speaking. In addition, many patients feel a decrease in their self-esteem. Other oral health problems, such as bone loss and dental shifting, are also common.
Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery offers the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, which means that there are several tooth replacement options available to you. Your personal preference, current oral health condition, and other factors will help you and your oral surgeon determine the best tooth replacement option for you. You can review the most common tooth replacement options below to learn more. We encourage you to call us if you would like to learn more about your options.
Dental Implants
Patients who have dental implants enjoy the benefits of a permanent and secure tooth replacement option. They can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. Because dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, patients can eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Your oral surgeon and dentist will work with you to place your dental implants. Dental implants are composed of three parts: the post, the abutment, and the crown. First, your oral surgeon will surgically place the post into the jaw bone. The post is made of medical-grade titanium and will act as an anchor for the rest of the implant. During the healing period, the post will fuse with the living bone around it and become a new and completely secure tooth root. After the healing period, your dentist places the crown, which is connected to the implant screw by the abutment. The crown is designed to look as natural as possible in color, size, and shape.
Read our Dental Implant page to learn more.
Full-Arch Replacement
A full-arch replacement is a solution that restores an entire upper or lower arch of teeth at once. It is a common option for patients who are missing all or almost all of their teeth on one or both of their arches. An entire arch of teeth can be supported using as few as four dental implant posts. Just like dental implants, full-arch replacement is a permanent and secure option. Patients can enjoy eating the foods they like, speaking clearly, and smiling with ease. Unlike traditional dentures, with a full-arch replacement, there is no risk of the teeth slipping or falling out.
Many patients find they are qualified candidates for this procedure. The consultation appointment with your oral surgeon will determine your candidacy and help you decide the best tooth replacement option for you.
You can learn more about this tooth replacement option on our All-on-4 Treatment Concept page.
Bridges (Tooth-Supported)
A dental bridge is an option if one or more teeth that are positioned next to each other need to be replaced. Tooth-supported bridges work by bridging the gap left by a missing tooth.
To prepare your mouth for a tooth-supported bridge, your dentist must reshape the surrounding teeth. The bridge is then snapped over the teeth. Most bridges are permanently bonded to the teeth, but some are removable.
Although bridges offer a cost-effective option and can be performed by your dentist, they need to be replaced after several years. Also, some patients are uncomfortable with their healthy teeth being ground down to fit a bridge. Your dentist or oral surgeon will be happy to discuss all of your tooth replacement options and help find the best solution for you.
Full or Partial Dentures
Once the only choice in tooth replacement, dentures are still a popular option. Patients can eat many foods easily with dentures, and they can be removed at the patient’s convenience. Most of the time, traditional dentures are fitted by your dentist.
In some cases, a denture is unable to offer a comfortable and secure fit for a patient. Dentures can cause several issues, such as sores and denture slipping. If you are experiencing discomfort from your dentures, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon. Pre-prosthetic surgery ensures that your dentures provide the best fit and maximum comfort.
Read our Pre-Prosthetic Surgery page to learn more.
Tooth Replacement Solutions at Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery
Several tooth replacement options are available to you at Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery. With two convenient locations in Slidell, LA, and Mandeville, LA, we can discuss all of your options and help you find the best solution. We encourage you to call our office to schedule a consultation. We look forward to meeting you.