There are many options for replacing single teeth, multiple teeth, or all of the teeth in an arch. Here is a quick guide to some of your replacement options. As you can see below, dental implants generally have the most going for them, but the other options definitely have their place as well.

Dental implants. Implants have revolutionized the world of tooth replacement by making it possible to offer a single tooth solution to a single tooth problem. One of the greatest advantages that implants have over bridges is that they stand alone - they don't require any cutting or alteration of adjacent teeth. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or to secure a denture in place. Dental implants encourage bone growth in the area of the missing tooth/teeth. Without the implant acting as a placeholder, the bone recedes over time, making it difficult to hold a denture in place. More procedures may be required if tooth replacement is delayed and the bone recedes.

In addition to these benefits, an implant cannot get cavities or decay. Because of this, the success rate of single implants is as high as 98 percent over the long term. Compare that with a bridge which has, at the very least, two teeth that can decay and thus cause failure of the entire unit.

Bridges. While we find ourselves doing less and less of these over the years due to the benefits of dental implants, bridges still represent an important means to cover small gaps in your smile due to missing teeth. A bridge relies on the strength of the surrounding teeth for support and for that reason, it is even more important than ever to take care of your teeth after getting one.

Removable partial dentures. This is a removable solution (it comes in and out of your mouth) and is usually reserved for cases where there are several missing teeth. For a single tooth, most people don't use this option unless it is a temporary fix until something more stable can be done.

Implant partials. The position of your natural teeth sometimes makes it impossible to create a stable partial denture using them as the sole means of support. In other cases, the arms of the partial denture are visible and create an unaesthetic appearance. Implants provide support that is sturdy and invisible for partial dentures.

Dr. Logan Hazard recently opened Heartwood Family Dental in Post Falls. At Heartwood, we offer free exams and x-rays for all new patients, treatment for the entire family, a wonderful team, and acceptance of all insurances in the area. Call Justine today at (208) 777-1542.