These appliances are an economical solution for replacing a single or several missing teeth (partial denture) to an entire arch of missing teeth (full denture).  Traditionally, these appliances are removable.  They can be made of all-acrylic or acrylic with a metal supporting frame. They provide function and esthetics during the day but then are taken out for cleaning and sleeping.  While removable appliances like dentures and partials tend to be more affordable, they do typically require replacement every 7-10 years and are not held in place as snugly as other fixed options.  Click here to find out more about partial and full dentures.  

This is a traditional solution to replacing a missing tooth/teeth which has the advantage of being fixed in the mouth and not needing to be removed.  Dental bridges require an anchor in the form of teeth or implants on either side of the missing tooth/teeth space.  A bridge restoration is permanently cemented in place on these anchors providing a seamless esthetic look.  While dental bridges have the advantage of being fixed in the mouth, they are reliant on both of their anchors for function—should something happen to either anchor the entire bridge would need to be replaced.  To learn more about dental bridges follow this link.

Implants have been a pivotal advancement in dentistry as they have provided enhanced benefits in replacing single teeth and full arches of missing teeth alike.  Dental implant restorations are comprised of three main parts:  the implant itself is made of titanium and functions like the new root of the tooth placed in the bone for anchorage, the titanium abutment is a connector between the implant and the final component, the crown or prosthetic tooth made of ceramic or zirconia.   Implants are biocompatible and have a history of high success rates.  The advantages of implants are they function like teeth to maintain natural jaw bone, they provide chewing efficiency most similar to natural teeth, and they do not rely on adjacent teeth for anchorage.  They provide a very esthetic and natural appearance.  When replacing a full arch of teeth, several implants can be used to support a full arch bridge that is fixed in place or implants can serve as anchoring attachments for removable partials or dentures.  To learn more about dental implants click here.

Don’t allow tooth loss to hold you back from accomplishing better overall health and well-being.  We encourage you to schedule a consultation with our dedicated team of professionals at Kokomo Family Dentistry to help determine which tooth replacement option is right for you.   Our team can provide you with affordable solutions in a friendly and judgement-free environment.  We are looking forward to assisting you on the path toward the smile you have always wanted.