St. Paul Dental Implants Dentist Explains Tooth Replacement Options

Written by Drs. Mark and Rachel Malterud on Mar 10, 2015

Depending on your specific situation, we can choose one of several options. Let’s take a look at a few:

Dental Implants
Dental implants are a truly remarkable tooth replacement solution. Since dental implants were first introduced, they have helped thousands of people like you enjoy healthy and beautiful smiles after losing teeth.

An easy explanation of how dental implants work is that a tiny titanium post is surgically placed in your jaw bone. This post eventually bonds with surrounding bone and tissue and acts as a replacement root for the rest of the implant.

Once the implant has healed, the root is capped with a natural looking restoration by your dentist. A dental implant can last for years while helping to maintain the structure of your jawbone as well as your general oral health.

Partial and Full Dentures
As you probably know, dentures sit on top of the gum and jaw bone. Dentures can be used effectively to replace multiple missing teeth. They provide replacement teeth in a fairly short amount of time.

The main difference is that dentures are not permanently affixed to your jawbone, often resulting in irritation and discomfort. However, we have the option of using dental implants to secure the denture to your jaw bone. This creates a very stable base that retains the denture, preventing embarrassing shifts and slips, and eliminating the need for the use of messy adhesives.

Dental Restorations – Bridges and Crowns
Bridges and crowns are both effective solutions for replacing a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. In some cases they may be removable, but bridges and crowns are usually permanently affixed with dental cement. Bridges are held in place by attaching them to adjacent teeth, and dental implants may be used for added stability.

Please Contact our Office for More Information
Deciding which option is most suitable for you is based on your oral health, lifestyle habits, and budget. The St. Paul Dental Implants Dentist will be happy to work with you to help you decide which replacement option will work best for you. Together we can achieve the beautiful, healthy, and complete smile you dream of.