Tooth replacement options in Wildwood, MO

There are three main paths. The American Dental Association lists bridges, dentures and implants as ways to replace lost teeth. A bridge is anchored to the teeth next to the gap. A denture is a removable appliance, and it is an option if you have lost all or most of your teeth. An implant is a post placed in the jawbone that supports a new tooth.

Which one fits depends on your gums, your bone, your remaining teeth, your health and your goals. Your dentist examines your mouth, takes x-rays or scans, and explains each option and its trade-offs. Ask what each one involves, how long it takes, what upkeep it needs, and what it may cost.

Read the pages for each option: dental implants, dental bridges, dentures, bone grafting and denture repair. The missing tooth guide helps you plan.

An implant has three phases. The American Dental Association explains that first the dentist surgically places the implant into the jawbone. Next the bone around the implant heals in a process called osseointegration, which means the bone grows around it and holds it in place. This takes time. Finally, the new tooth, usually a crown, is placed and designed to blend in with your other teeth.

Health matters. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes may interfere with healing after surgery. Using tobacco can slow healing too. Your dentist may talk with your doctor.

Planning uses scans. The practice's Technology page lists cone beam CT scans and an in-house printer for surgical guides, and your dentist can explain how scans fit your plan. For more on timing, read our blog posts on the implant recovery timeline and whether implants are painful, plus the dental implants guide.

A bridge is fixed and a denture is removable. The American Dental Association says a bridge, sometimes called a fixed partial denture, replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth and fills the gap where one or more teeth used to be. Bridges can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination, and attach to surrounding teeth. An implant bridge attaches directly to the jaw. A bridge depends on its foundation, so it is important to keep the remaining teeth healthy.

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. They come as full dentures for a whole arch and partial dentures that attach to remaining teeth. New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks. Daily cleaning matters, and the fit should be checked at regular visits.

See our pages on the dental bridge, dentures and denture repair. The dentures vs implants guide compares them in more depth, and the blog compares a dental bridge vs implant.

Sometimes the jawbone is too thin or soft to hold an implant. Cleveland Clinic explains that a dental bone graft increases the volume and density of your jaw, and that you might need one after tooth extractions or in areas of bone loss. It can also be used to lift the sinus cavities before dental implants in some situations.

A graft works as a scaffold. Cleveland Clinic describes grafting as holding space in the jaw so the body can grow its own bone. The graft material may come from your own body, a donor bank, an animal source, or a lab-made substitute. Your dentist explains the choice and healing time.

A graft adds a healing step before the implant. Ask how long to wait. Read the bone grafting page, the bone grafts and sinus lifts guide, and the glossary on bone graft material. If you need an extraction first, see tooth extraction for what to expect.

Match the option to your situation, with your dentist's help. A bridge may fit when the teeth beside the gap are healthy and strong enough to support it. An implant may fit when you want to avoid shaping nearby teeth and have enough bone, as the American Dental Association describes. A denture may fit when most or all teeth are missing.

Use these questions at your visit:

1. What are my options for each missing tooth, and why?
2. What steps and how many visits does each take?
3. How long until I can chew normally?
4. What daily care does it need?
5. What is my personal estimate, and what may my plan cover?

Town Center Dental gives each patient a personal estimate and does not publish prices. The insurance and financing page lists what to bring. To book a consultation, request an appointment or call (636) 273-5866.