As a child, losing a baby tooth may have been a fun experience – complete with a visit from the Tooth Fairy. But, as an adult, a missing tooth is the exact opposite. It not only hinders your ability to put your best smile forward, it can also affect your speech and your capacity to chew food. It can even cause the slow shifting of teeth into the empty space and bone loss may also occur around a missing tooth.

While missing teeth are more common than you might think, it’s critical to mind the gap if you find yourself with this issue.

At SMILE! Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC, we offer a number of restorative dentistry options to meet your individual needs – whether you’re missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of your teeth.

Dental Implant

One of the most common ways we fix a missing tooth is through a dental implant, which is a prosthetic that is designed to replace both the root and crown so it looks, feels, and functions just like a real tooth. Implants consist of two main parts: the implant post and the implant restoration.

When you have a dental implant procedure, the first step is to place the titanium post that serves as the anchor or root of your new tooth. The second step is the placement of the dental restoration or crown on the titanium post. This crown completes the implant and allows you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence again.

Each restoration we create is both aesthetically pleasing and durable, so that you can enjoy the results of your treatment for years to come.

Implant-Supported Bridge

Often, an implant-supported bridge will be appropriate for multiple missing teeth in a row. With this solution, only the teeth at the two ends are secured with implants while the teeth in the middle are held in place without individual implants. This way, individual restorations are not needed for every single tooth, which can be cost-prohibitive and very invasive.

Just like a single implant, an implant-supported bridge offers a very natural look.

Tooth-Supported Bridge

Instead of using two implants at either end of the bridge, a tooth-supported bridge makes use of your existing teeth to place the bridge.

To do so, a crown is placed on the teeth that are located next to the missing ones. Because there is no surgery required with the placement of implants, the tooth-supported bridge is less invasive and more economical.

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The appropriate treatment for tooth restoration is very unique to each patient. At SMILE! Advanced Dental Center, we consult with you to determine which option will provide you with the best results for your oral health and your smile. Schedule an appointment today, and let’s discuss the best way to restore your smile.