Replacement for Missing Teeth - A Complete List of Options By Dr. Collier on June 11, 2012

Obviously, missing teeth present their fair share of aesthetic problems. While these gaps in the smile may make a person hesitant to smile, however, their consequences are far more reaching, dramatically affecting a persons oral health and, ultimately, even his or her overall health. A higher incidence of such serious diseases as heart disease and cancer have been linked to oral infections, and these infections become even more likely when teeth are missing. In addition, when teeth are missing, the underlying gum and bone structures fall into disuse and begin to degrade.

Fortunately, at Southern Dental Implant Center in Memphis, missing teeth can be replaced any number of ways. Our Memphis cosmetic dentistry experts use only the finest, medical-grade porcelain and other high-quality materials in their restorations to ensure the most natural-looking and durable results possible, whether a patient is missing one tooth or all of his or her teeth. Patients emerge from treatment with beautiful, healthy smiles that, with proper maintenance can last for years.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are, without exception, the strongest, most stable, and most versatile method of replacing missing teeth. The implant posts are made of titanium, which the human body does not recognize as a foreign substance, dramatically reducing the risk of rejection. These posts are surgically embedded into the jaw, where they serve as artificial tooth roots. Once the dental implants have healed into place, they can be used to anchor:

Dental Crowns

Implant-supported dental crowns are ideal replacements for individual missing teeth. A single crown can be used to replace a single missing tooth, while multiple crowns can be crafted to replace non-consecutive missing teeth. At Southern Dental Implant Center in Memphis, we custom craft dental crowns of high-grade porcelain so that they look, feel, and function remarkably like natural teeth. By affixing these crowns to dental implants below the gum line, we are able to replicate the entire missing tooth, from its root to its cusps.

Dental Bridges

Composed of one or more artificial teeth attached to dental crowns on either end, dental bridges are an ideal replacement for up to three consecutive missing teeth. At our cosmetic dentistry practice in Memphis, dental implants are the preferred method of securing dental bridges, as implant-supported bridges do not require any alteration of or support from adjacent natural teeth. Once in place, dental bridges close the gap left by missing teeth, preventing surrounding natural teeth from drifting out of place and helping to preserve the bite.

Cosmetic Dentures

For patients who are missing most or all of their natural teeth, custom-crafted cosmetic dentures can be crafted to fit comfortably and securely in their mouths. As with dental bridges, our Memphis dentists prefer to secure dentures to dental implants for the most secure and stable results possible. Unlike their removable counterparts, implant-supported dentures cannot slip or shift, making chewing, biting, speaking, and laughing a breeze. They are also easy to clean, as they can be brushed and flossed in precisely the same manner as natural teeth.