Dental implants are a valuable and exciting treatment option for today’s dental patients. They offer a real advantage – a replacement for a missing tooth that looks and feels natural. It becomes incorporated into your mouth and results in a stronger restoration than other tooth replacement options. Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or can be used in conjunction with partial dentures or full dentures to increase retention. If you are averse to wearing removable dentures, implants may be the right choice for you. Unlike a bridge, an implant does not require compromising the adjacent healthy teeth. If you have not been to the dentist in a while, you will be amazed at what can be done to improve your dental health and your smile!

At your first appointment, Dr. Rich will examine your teeth and determine whether implants are the best option for you. Often, we will take an x-ray to determine the state of your jawbone, as bone is lost if the tooth has been gone for some time. If a dental implant is an option, he can go over what particular type of implant would be best for your situation.

Bridges are a natural-looking replacement option for missing teeth. Bridges can be supported by adjacent teeth, by implants, or by a combination of both. The benefits of bridges are that they can fill most gaps, they last a long time with proper care, and they look natural.

Removable partial dentures provide a prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth. It is an option for patients who want to replace teeth for functional or aesthetic reasons, and who cannot have a bridge for any number of reasons (such as a lack of teeth to support bridge). Removable partial dentures have metal or plastic clasps that clip onto supportive teeth, making it more stable. In order to maintain your healthy gum tissue, partials need to be removed at night.

A full denture provides a prosthetic replacement for all of the missing teeth on either the upper or lower arch. Conventional dentures are removable but there are also options for dentures that clasp onto dental implants, allowing for tremendously increased retention. Like partial dentures, a full denture will need to be removed at night to maintain tissue health.