Missing Teeth Replacement Options

If you are missing one or more teeth, it can be detrimental to your physical and emotional well-being. There are several reasons for missing teeth- you may have been involved in an accident or sustained an injury that knocked out a tooth or caused unrepairable damage.
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Perhaps you have tooth decay and gum disease to the point that your teeth are falling out or need to be extracted. Then again, maybe you have a genetic condition known as hypodontia.

Whatever the reason for your missing teeth, you’re not alone. Recent statistics indicate that around 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 40 million have no teeth. Missing teeth make it difficult to eat, drink, talk, and can have an effect on your self-confidence as well.
If you’re concerned about your missing teeth, you should know that you have options. The staff at Arlington Dental Excellence can help. We have a variety of missing teeth replacement treatments. Schedule your consultation today to learn what treatment is right for you. We would love to help you get your smile and confidence back as soon as possible.

Tooth Implants

Tooth implants are a very popular tooth replacement option. In fact, more than 3 million Americans have them. They can be used to replace a single tooth or as a support for implant-supported bridges. Implants are used to replace one or multiple teeth. It is a prosthetic device that is implanted in the jawbone beneath your gums and imitates the root structure of natural teeth. Once implanted, it serves as a foundation for dental prostheses including crowns, dentures, and bridges. They are popular because they stimulate bone growth and provide stability and durability, allowing teeth to function as they did before.

Advantages

There are several advantages of dental implants:
  • Durable and last a lifetime
  • Bone tissue fuses with implant, securing it in place- offers good support when speaking and eating
  • Better appearance than most other tooth replacement options
  • Do not require neighboring teeth for support- more stable than other options
  • Able to chew anything because they are implanted in the jawbone and chewing force is distributed throughout the jawbone.

Disadvantages

There are a few disadvantages of dental implants:
  • Can be expensive depending on size, location, and how many are needed
  • Requires oral surgery
  • Long and complicated process- can take several months or even 1 year to complete
  • Higher risk of complications, such as loosening, jawbone damage, and infection

Snap-On Dentures

Snap-on dentures, also known as denture implants or snap-in dentures, are a removable solution for tooth restoration. Implants are inserted into your jawbone and dentures are created to “snap” onto the rods. This option for replacing your missing teeth takes advantage of the major benefits of dental implants: strength and durability.
In the case of a full mouth restoration, the denture is mounted on 2 rods- but depending on the condition of your mouth, Dr. Alan Jureidini, our Periodontist/Implantologist may decide to use 4. This will increase the stability of the denture. Snap-on dentures work well for both upper and lower teeth and must be removed at night for cleaning.

Advantages

The advantages of snap-on dentures include:
  • Preventing bone loss
  • Improving facial structure
  • Comfortable to eat, speak, smile, and laugh
  • Bone augmentation not required
  • Most affordable option for full-mouth restoration

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of snap-on dentures include:
  • Sore spots
  • Relines required
  • More expensive than traditional dentures

All-on-4 Implants

The All-on-4 implant tooth replacement solution is where the dentist will insert four implants into your jawbone- two in the back, angled, and two in the front. If you have a larger arch, the dentist may use 6 implants instead to provide better stability.
Then, a permanent full-arch bridge will be attached to the posts. These are often referred to as “permanent dentures” or “permanent bridge”.

Advantages

There are several advantages to the All-on-4 Implant tooth replacement solution:
  • Treatment and recovery time is shorter
  • Will not slip/fall out
  • Less expensive than options using 8 to 10 implants
  • Extractions and implants done in one day
  • Fixed in place, more like natural teeth
  • Ideal for patients who have jawbone loss

Disadvantages

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages you should consider as well:
  • Results are different than traditional implants
  • Not fully customized
  • Some patients experience hissing/spitting when speaking
  • Implant gum bridge may feel bulky

Implant-Supported Bridges

For a long time, patients in Arlington, Virginia have chosen dental bridges to replace their missing teeth. A traditional dental bridge holds one or more artificial teeth, depending on your needs, between two healthy teeth that support the bridge with crowns cemented in place. There are some advantages to this tooth replacement option:
Getting fitted takes less time than implant-supported option
Less expensive than implant-supported bridges
However, there are some disadvantages to traditional bridges that make implant-supported bridges a better option:
  • Anchoring teeth must be structurally sound
  • Anchoring teeth will need to be altered to accommodate a crown
  • Will not prevent bone loss
These disadvantages are why more patients are opting for implant-supported bridges. An implant-supported bridge is anchored to implants placed into your jawbone. A titanium post will be placed on each side of the gap. Once you’ve healed from the implants being inserted, an abutment will be attached to the post. Then, the bridge with your replacement teeth will be permanently attached.

Advantages

There are some advantages to implant-supported bridges:
  • Modification of natural teeth is not required
  • Implant replaces the missing tooth as well as the root
  • The titanium rod stimulates bone growth in your jawbone

Disadvantages

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages to implant-supported bridges as well:
  • Being fitted takes longer- you will have several appointments spread out over several months
  • More expensive than traditional bridges
  • Certain medical conditions can mean you are not a suitable candidate for dental implants

DENTAL FINANCING OPTIONS AT ARLINGTON, VA

Our office is in-network with all major insurance providers. Please bring your insurance card to each appointment so we can make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible. If you do not find your insurance provider here; please call at (703) 420-3253 for clarity.

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Schedule Your Consultation Today

The information provided here on missing teeth replacement options is just an overview of some of our options. Contact Arlington Dental Excellence for your free consultation– we even offer Evening and Saturday hours. We would love to sit down with you and help you see what your traditional and implant-based options are for replacing your missing teeth and getting your confidence back.

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