What Can a Dentist do About Permanent Tooth Loss?

For many people, permanent tooth loss is devastating. Whether you suffer from severe decay, gum disease, or a trauma that causes you to lose your tooth, you might wonder what a dentist can do about permanent tooth loss. When you lose a tooth, you don’t want to smile and reveal a big gap. Even if the lost tooth is positioned toward the back of the mouth, the loss of the tooth can impact how you chew and bite. Luckily, Dr. Carolyn B. Walker can treat permanent tooth loss through oral surgery, in some cases, and then replace the lost tooth with a bridge, implant, or partial denture.

At Leon Springs Dental Center in San Antonio, TX, Dr. Walker will meet with you to discuss the loss of your permanent tooth. She will provide you with options on how to replace the missing tooth. Every patient is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. So, it is important that you book a consultation with Dr. Walker so you can discuss your options.

How to replace a permanent tooth

If you have lost a permanent tooth, you have options. Dr. Walker at Leon Springs Dental Center in San Antonio, TX can determine if you need oral surgery on the damaged site and then provide you with an implant, bridge, or partial denture, depending on your needs and wants.

• Implant: A dental implant is a highly effective, long-lasting dental prosthesis. It involves placing a titanium root directly into the jawbone. The titanium post will function as a base on which Dr. Walker will affix a replacement tooth. An implant is a long-term solution to the loss of a permanent tooth. With proper care, the implant can easily last for years.

• Partial Dentures: A partial denture can replace a missing permanent tooth or teeth. The implant is made from a metal frame that firmly holds the replacement tooth. The metal frame clasps firmly around your existing teeth. Dentures are an ideal choice if your gums or jawbone simply cannot support an implant. Also, partial dentures are more affordable than dental implants.

• Bridges: If you lose a permanent tooth and the gap left behind is small, a dental bridge is an ideal prosthetic option. A dental bridge is made up of the replacement tooth and abutment, which is a bridge that rigidly attaches to your existing teeth. Unlike a partial denture, which is removable, a bridge is long-lasting. It is affixed to your surrounding teeth to hold the tooth prosthesis in place.

Loss of a permanent tooth from trauma

If you lost your tooth in an automobile accident or while playing sports, you may have experienced a dental emergency. In some situations, you may have the lost tooth placed back into your jaw, but if too much time passes, the tooth will no longer be viable. If the permanent tooth can no longer be placed back in the jawbone, you’ll need to explore other replacement options, such as a partial denture, implant, or bridge.

Schedule a consultation to discuss the replacement of permanent teeth in San Antonio, TX

If you would like to replace a missing permanent tooth, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Carolyn B. Walker at Leon Springs Dental Center in San Antonio, TX to discuss your options. She will go over the benefits of implants, partial dentures, and bridges so you can decide which one will work best for your needs.