Tooth Replacement Options

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Having one or more missing teeth can threaten your oral health and throw off the balance of your smile. Even if just one tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth can begin to migrate and shift out of alignment, causing serious bite problems over time. Tasks like smiling, speaking, and eating can become increasingly more difficult. Everyone’s mouth is different, and no one treatment will work for everyone. Fortunately, there are a variety of different tooth replacement options available to restore patients’ smiles and protect their oral health. Below we have provided some information to help you learn more about your treatment options, such as dental implants. We offer many of these tooth replacement options at Indianapolis Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, so contact us if you’d like to learn more about your treatment options or schedule an appointment today.

Dental Implants

Quick Facts:

  • Can replace one or more teeth permanently
  • Last a lifetime with proper care
  • Look and function just like a natural tooth
  • Have no removable parts that slip, fall out, or cause discomfort
  • Prevent facial bone loss

Dental implants consist of three separate parts that work together to replace your missing tooth or teeth: the screw, the abutment, and the prosthesis. The dental implant screw is the base of the implant. It replaces your natural tooth’s roots and gradually integrates with the bone around your teeth for a secure hold. The connecting abutment attaches your prosthesis to the screw, and the prosthesis itself is a custom-made crown or bridge designed to resemble your natural teeth.

Who Can Receive Dental Implants?

Most patients who are healthy enough to undergo a minor dental procedure (such as a dental extraction) can have a dental implant procedure. Most dental professionals consider dental implants to be the best, longest-lasting, healthiest tooth replacement option available, although other factors such as bone density and medical history must be considered.

Dental implants are an excellent solution for patients who want to replace one or multiple missing teeth permanently; the implants can support a single crown, a multi-tooth bridge, or even a full denture.

The All-on-4® Treatment Concept

Quick Facts:

  • Uses just four dental implants to secure a full upper or lower denture
  • Provides a permanent alternative to removable dentures
  • Prevents bone loss and protects your oral health
  • Allows new teeth to be placed immediately, although a soft diet is required during the healing phase

The All-on-4® Treatment Concept uses strategically placed dental implants to replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth. Four or more dental implants will secure your custom-fitted denture to the jaw bone.

Who Is a Candidate for the All-on-4® Treatment Concept?

Patients must be healthy enough to undergo outpatient anesthesia and minor dental procedures to receive the All-on-4®. The full-arch replacement is an excellent option for patients who want to replace many missing or failing teeth at once. Patients who want a permanent alternative to dentures should consider the All-on-4® Treatment Concept.

Locator Implant Over-Dentures

Quick Facts:

  • Provide a secure, dental implant-based hold but are still removable
  • Can be easier to wear and care for than other denture options
  • Restore function and appearance
  • Prevent some bone loss

Locator implant over-dentures snap onto a dental implant, which creates a secure hold while still being removable. The ease of removal can make it easier to clean the denture.

Who Should Consider Over-Dentures?

If you want a removable option but are also drawn to the security and health benefits of dental implants, the locator implant over-denture may be the right option for you.

Tooth-Supported Bridges

Quick Facts:

  • Fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth
  • Can be fixed or removable
  • Restore function and appearance of missing teeth
  • Require support from adjacent teeth

Tooth-supported bridges are prosthetic tooth replacements that “bridge” the gaps left by one or two missing teeth. Your dental practitioner will first reshape the teeth on either side of the gap to support the bridge; then the bridge will either snap into place or cemented permanently to your teeth.

Who Is a Candidate for Bridge Placement?

Patients who cannot undergo more extensive dental procedures may find bridges appealing. No surgery is required for the placement of the bridge, but your remaining healthy teeth will have to be ground down to fit the prosthesis.

Traditional Dentures (Full or Partial)

Quick Facts:

  • A removable denture option
  • Come in both full or partial sizes to replace some or all of your teeth
  • Restore function and appearance
  • Do not prevent bone loss

Traditional dentures have been a popular tooth replacement option for years. They are custom fitted to your mouth after molds and imaging are taken to ensure the closest possible fit.

Who Should Consider Dentures?

Those who want a removable option or cannot undergo dental implant procedures may find conventional dentures appealing. Patients should consider that dentures may have to be replaced or refitted after several years of use because the jaw bone will change shape over time.

Immediate Dentures

Quick Facts:

  • A removable denture option
  • Restore the appearance and function of teeth
  • Eliminate the waiting period associated with traditional dentures

Immediate dentures are removable dentures that can usually be fitted the same day that your remaining teeth are extracted, eliminating the waiting period required to shape your dentures after a traditional denture fitting.

Who Should Consider Immediate Dentures?

Patients who are drawn to the convenience of never being without teeth may find immediate dentures appealing. If you are not a candidate for a full-arch replacement procedure, such as the All-on-4® Treatment Concept, immediate dentures could be a good removable alternative. Note that more fittings may be necessary for immediate dentures because the exact shape of your gums changes after the removal of your teeth.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Please contact our office by either filling out the form below or by calling us at 317-900-4535

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Indianapolis Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center

1320 N. Post Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46219
 Phone:  317-900-4535
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Indianapolis Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center
1320 N. Post Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Main: 317-900-4535
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