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Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

At Bishop Family Dental, we have several options for replacing missing teeth. If you have missing teeth because they had been knocked out in an accident or extracted because of decay or damage, we can replace them with prosthetics to help you regain your teeth’s full functionality and appearance. If you live in Salt Lake City, Utah, or the 84124 area, we invite you to call 801-274-2500 and schedule an appointment with our dental office. After examining you, Dr. Daniel Bishop will recommend the replacement option that could produce the best results for your appearance and lifestyle goals.

HOW CAN I TELL WHICH MISSING TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS ARE RIGHT FOR ME?

In our Salt Lake City dental office, we understand the importance of choice. We know that when 10 people come to have us address their tooth loss, we will need to achieve 10 slightly different goals to fit 10 different lifestyles. The kinds of food you like to eat, the sports or physical activities you engage in (if any), your preferred social interactions, all of these can determine which tooth replacement option would be right for you. This is why we will ask questions to get to know more about you during your consultation. While it seems out of place for a dentist to ask about your hobbies and your physical activities, it does say much about which solution they could recommend. For example, if one of your hobbies is singing in the choir, dentures would not work well for you because they could pop out while you’re singing. Similarly, if you run marathons, you will need to have your tooth replaced in a way that can withstand severe shocks that running brings. After asking you questions and conducting a physical examination, we will recommend the option that we believe will fit into your lifestyle best. If all of the options could work for you, we will tell you so you can ask more specific questions regarding the procedures and cost involved.

WHICH TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTION IS THE MOST DURABLE?

At Bishop Family Dental, we will give you a well-made and durable replacement tooth, regardless of which option you select. However, if you want a tooth replacement option that looks, feels, and is as stable as a natural tooth, a dental implant is for you. In this procedure, we will implant a titanium post into the jawbone underneath the gums. This will serve as the replacement tooth root. Over a period of one to several months, the bone will grow around the titanium post, fusing with it to form a new root system that is as sturdy as the original. This fusing process is called osseointegration, which enables the titanium post to serve as the foundation of a stable and durable tooth replacement. Once this is done, we will then attach an artificial tooth to the implant at our Utah dental office. This tooth has been custom fabricated to blend with your natural teeth. Currently, an implant is the best replacement for a missing tooth. However, do note that this is a surgical procedure that, to be successful, requires certain physical conditions. In this case, your jawbone needs to be dense enough to support the implant. Because of this, not everyone can have dental implants. Thankfully, other durable replacement solutions are available, such as a dental bridge.

A bridge is an artificial tooth or teeth that replaces the missing tooth or teeth by being secured to the two teeth surrounding the missing one via crowns. These crowns serve as the support posts that firmly hold the artificial replacement tooth in place, bridging the gap left by the lost tooth. This is the sturdiest, non-surgical replacement solution you can have, because it is permanently attached to the adjacent healthy teeth. Because of this, many of our patients prefer bridges because they are more secure than dentures but are less invasive than implants. During your consultation, Dr. Daniel Bishop can expound on the pros and cons of each option, enabling you to make an informed choice on which will suit you best. Additionally, if your remaining teeth are not healthy enough to support a bridge or other similar issues, we will let you know and suggest a more suitable solution.

In some cases, the best way to replace missing teeth is with dentures. While not as durable, stable, or sturdy as an implant or bridge, dentures do work in some conditions. Dentures are an excellent interim solution while waiting for another dental procedure. Also, if your jaw bone has undergone resorption or your remaining teeth are no longer strong, they may be necessary. In this instance, modern dental technologies have made it possible for dentures to look natural and less likely to fall out of place.

OPTIONS FOR REPLACING MISSING TEETH

Will my age affect what tooth replacement options I can avail? At Bishop Family Dental, we seek to provide you with a tooth replacement solution that is beautiful, natural looking, and fits your lifestyle. Age, while a factor in healthcare, affects what tooth replacement solution fits you less than your lifestyle does. For example, you could be a senior, but unlike your contemporaries, you do not want to wear dentures. Regardless of your age, dental implants could be the best solution if you lead an active lifestyle. This is because implants are the sturdiest, allowing you to keep doing all of your activities. Take note that, regardless of age, when you lose a tooth, resorption begins. Resorption is when the body reabsorbs calcium from your jawbone and feeds it to other parts of your body. The longer you wait to visit our Salt Lake City dental office and have the tooth replaced, the less bone density you will have. When this happens, your tooth replacement options become fewer. Therefore, it is urgent that you replace a lost tooth as soon as possible.

Call us at 801-274-2500 and schedule an appointment with our 84124 dental office as soon as your tooth has either fallen or been knocked out. Acting on this quickly will help in restoring your appearance and oral health.

To learn more about dental options for replacing missing teeth in Salt Lake City, Utah, call and schedule an appointment with our dentist office today.

Location

2120 E 3900 S #102, Salt Lake City, UT 84124

Phone: (801) 274-2500

Office Hours

MON 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

TUE 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

WED 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

THU 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

FRI 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

SAT - SUN Closed

Get in Touch

Email: info@bishopfamilydental.com

Call or Text Us: (801) 274-2500

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