Don’t Let Missing Teeth Ruin Your Smile

Give us a call if you are interested in options for replacing missing teeth and repair your smile today.

Options For Replacing Missing Teeth

We know how hard it can be living with missing or less than perfect teeth. Losing teeth can mean that it's hard to enjoy day-to-day activities like savoring your favorite foods and living without oral pain. By replacing any missing teeth, we can help you regain the full functionality of your teeth. It is a great way to have a confident smile and get back to living life without pain or obstacles and get back to the things you enjoy doing.

There are three primary options for replacing missing teeth: implants, dental bridges, and dentures. Each option has unique benefits and may be better suited for a patient based on the number of remaining teeth. At our office, we examine our patients' teeth to determine the most effective replacement for a brighter smile. We also work with them to find a solution that fits their budget and desired level of maintenance.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Replacement Option

Durability: It's important to consider how long a tooth replacement option can last and how much wear it can take. Typically, dental implants are the most durable and can last more than twenty years with proper care and maintenance. Implant patients find this to be a driving factor in choosing them over other replacement options. Nevertheless, dentures and dental bridges still have modest durability. Dentures last five to ten years, while fixed bridges can last up to fifteen. Both options require some adjustment or replacement as both options may wear over time, and the mouth will change through the years.

Age of the individual: While age itself does not exclude someone from a specific treatment, the effects of aging may. A requisite for receiving implants and implant-supported dentures is the strength of one's bone and amount of remaining soft-tissue lining. While a younger patient who doesn't indulge in smoking or have a preexisting condition may fit this criterion better, an older patient may have deterioration in their bone and gums. Therefore, dentures may be a preferred option for those over 65. However, no matter the patient's age, other considerations should be taken into account when selecting a tooth replacement option.

Ease of Care: While dentures have to be removed for nightly cleaning, fixed bridges and implants will require a routine similar to that of natural teeth. Some replacement options may require the purchase and use of additional care products. For instance, dentures should be soaked in a cleaning solution overnight, while bridges will need soft floss to clean underneath the artificial tooth. Of the three, dental implants are the only option where your daily routine of cleaning twice a day with standard floss and a toothbrush will go unchanged.

Davis & Dingle Family Dentistry

At Davis & Dingle Family Dentistry in Columbia, we work to customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule where possible. Our professional staff aims to create a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and work with you to find the solution that works best for you.

Our staff seeks to create a comforting environment at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of quality oral health. At Davis & Dingle Family Dentistry, your dental health is our prime concern.