For many patients, tooth extraction can be traumatic. Every time you look in the mirror, it reminds you of what’s missing. It’s common to feel a profound sense of loss. Many patients try to avoid or minimize smiling due to embarrassment from a missing tooth.

You can live with empty space after a tooth extraction, but with many available treatments, you don’t have to. Let’s explore your dental options after tooth extraction. Treating your missing tooth can improve your oral health and reduce bone loss after tooth loss. It can also improve the quality of life and self-confidence.

Dental Implant

A dental implant is the tooth replacement option most like a natural tooth. A screw implanted into the jaw holds a replacement tooth in place. Since the artificial tooth is part of the jaw like a natural tooth, it doesn’t require a lot of special care. You’ll brush, floss, and visit the dentist as usual with your dental implants.

Implants can last a long time, potentially for a lifetime with proper care, preparation, and maintenance. We can replace one or more teeth with implants. They look almost identical to natural teeth.

The standard dental implant replaces one tooth using an implanted titanium screw and an attached false tooth, but there are other options available, such as the following.

• Metal-free dental implants: Patients who need to avoid a metal screw can opt for a ⦁ metal-free implant. These feature a strong zirconia base. Metal-free dental implants are excellent for patients with a metal allergy. They are also a good fit for patients with thinning gums. The white base of the zirconia implant blends into the jawline better, reducing discoloration in patients with thin gums.
• All-on-4: Dental implants are an investment, but for patients with many missing teeth, financially they can feel a little out of reach. In some cases, we can replace ⦁ multiple teeth using fewer implants. We may be able to replace an entire arch using four or more implants. The implants provide the base and structure for your tooth replacement, supporting bridges of false teeth. This method can significantly reduce the cost of dental implants. It also eases recovery and discomfort by lessening the number of implants needed and the invasiveness of implant surgery.

Dental implants work best in patients with a strong jawbone. The bone can degrade after tooth loss or due to dental problems. To ensure our patients achieve a good result, we carefully prepare for implant surgery using bone grafting or guided placement in challenging cases.

Dental Bridge

A bridge spans a gap of missing teeth using custom-made false teeth. The natural teeth on either side of the missing teeth support this type of dental prosthesis.

Bridges can achieve a good aesthetic result, but they may require a little specialized care. Your dentist will teach you how to clean your replacement teeth using specialized flossing techniques and dental tools. If you have a bridge, you won’t be able to remove it yourself. If yours needs to come out for any reason, your dentist will need to assist.

Dentures

One of the least invasive and most affordable options for tooth replacement are dentures. A denture is a removable plate or frame that holds replacement teeth.

Dentures stay in place with a close fit along the underlying gum and bone tissue. The layer of saliva between the gums and the denture help keep this oral health device in the mouth. People with dentures often remove them daily for cleaning.

Dentures can negatively affect the ability to eat some types of foods. Some patients struggle with nutrition due to an inability to eat properly. Modern, well-fitted dentures are much more effective than older styles.

Dentures don’t have to replace a full arch of your smile. Partial dentures can restore the appearance of missing teeth in smaller areas. These dentures are removable. Specialized clasps attach to the surrounding teeth and hold them in place.

Hill Country Oral Surgery for Your Tooth Replacement Needs

Smile with confidence by replacing your missing teeth. Come in for a consultation and explore your options for tooth replacement with one of our skilled oral surgeons. Call us at 512-327-7233 to schedule a visit to our Austin, TX oral surgery office.