Losing even just one tooth can be detrimental to your smile. It can affect the appearance as well as your abilities to bite, chew, and speak. Losing more than one tooth amplifies these negative effects. Replacing a tooth restores these abilities, your appearance, and protects your smile’s overall health. If you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth, how do you know which replacement option is best for you? Your dentist in Lafayette, LA can walk you through your smile’s specific needs. But it is always good to have information, so we are providing a brief overview of some of the tooth replacement options available.
Customized Crown
If a tooth is damaged severely, a crown can be used to cap it and protect it. If a tooth is lost completely, a dental crown can be paired with a dental implant to replace the tooth. A dental implant acts as a replacement for the roots of the tooth while a crown replaces the crown of the tooth (how fitting!). Replacing a tooth with an implant ensures that the jawbone stays strong and healthy, too.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is similar to an architectural bridge in that it is anchored on two sides with material in the middle. If you have one tooth or a few in a row that are surrounded by healthy teeth, a bridge can be used as a prosthetic. In some cases, one or both anchor sides of the bridge can be crowns affixed to implant(s) or healthy teeth.
Full or Partial Dentures
If all or many of your teeth are missing, dentures can be created for your smile. Partial dentures can be created for your exact needs to replace teeth that may be spread out across your smile. Dentures can also be anchored to dental implants to provide a more sturdy solution for your smile’s needs.
Do you have any teeth that need to be replaced?
There are several options for tooth replacement. To schedule a consultation, contact us at our office in Lafayette, LA at 337-237-6453. We proudly serve patients from Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Scott, Youngsville, and surrounding communities.
