Tooth Replacement Options in Willow Park, TX

When considering your tooth replacement options, it’s important to choose something that works for your lifestyle and the current state of your oral health. At Trinity River Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, our oral surgeon provides dental implant procedures to support single-tooth replacements, self-supported bridges, and even full fixed dentures.

Dental implants are widely considered to be one of the healthiest options for replacing missing teeth, but they aren’t the best option for everyone. To help you choose a tooth replacement option that works for your oral health situation, we’ve provided some additional information below about some of the most popular treatment options: dental implants, full-arch restorations, traditional dental bridges, and dentures.

Dental Implants

Features:

Permanent dental restorations fixed in place
Look and feel just like natural teeth
As strong as natural teeth, allowing patients to eat whatever they want
Can support a variety of attachments for single- or multi-tooth replacement
Implant posts prevent dental shifting and bone loss associated with missing teeth

Dental implants consist of three parts: the implant post, the abutment, and the crown or tooth-shaped attachment. The post is surgically inserted into the bone beneath your gums to replace the root of your tooth, creating a strong foundation for your new replacement tooth (also known as a crown). This crown will be custom made by your dentist to look and feel just like a natural tooth, and the abutment piece will act as a connector between your implant post and the tooth attachment. Sometimes the crown and abutment are fabricated as a single unit, and this unit is screwed securely into the implant post.

Full-Arch Restoration

Features:

A permanently fixed denture (replaces an entire upper or lower arch of teeth)
A natural-looking smile
Strong dental implant supports, allowing you to eat your favorite foods again
Strategically placed implants help prevent bone loss

Full-arch restoration is a procedure that uses a few strategically placed dental implants to support an entire fixed denture. The implants hold your new teeth securely in place, preventing any slipping or discomfort caused by a poorly fitting denture. This revolutionary procedure is one of the most efficient ways to restore a large number of missing upper or lower teeth.

Traditional Dental Bridges

Features:

Semi-permanent replacement option (often requires replacement after about seven years of wear)
Natural-looking replacement teeth
Prevent dental shifting
Improve function and allow patients to eat normally

A dental bridge is one of the most common replacement options for a missing tooth. The bridge consists of a prosthetic tooth with tooth-shaped caps attached to either side. The caps will be cemented onto your natural teeth, allowing the prosthetic tooth to bridge the gap created by the missing tooth. While bridges are a good option for people who don’t want a removable prosthesis, they do not prevent bone loss. Bridges also often require some of your healthy teeth to be reshaped or altered so that the caps/crowns fit properly.

Dentures

Features:

Removable tooth replacement for full or partial arch
Natural-looking replacement teeth
Improved function for chewing some foods
May require adjustments after years of wear
Can help prevent dental shifting

The design and functionality of dentures have improved substantially over the last few years. A full or partial denture can be used to replace missing teeth and improve the appearance of your smile. Patients who want a removable option may like dentures more than other options, but some patients have issues finding a good fit. If you are healthy enough to undergo dental surgery, your dentist may recommend other options before dentures.