Tooth Replacement Options in Chandler, AZ
At Riggs Family Dental, we offer a variety of options to replace missing teeth, whether due to an accident, decay, or extraction. Our goal is to restore both the function and appearance of your smile, and Dr. Carlos Lopez and our team are dedicated to helping you find the best solution for your needs.
Depending on the extent of your tooth loss, we provide the following options:
- Fixed Bridges: Supported by adjacent healthy teeth or dental implants, these bridges use two crowns with a false tooth suspended between them to fill the gap created by a missing tooth.
- All-on-4 and Implant-Supported Dentures: Our Teeth-in-a-Day treatment allows you to replace all of your teeth with a denture that’s securely anchored by as few as four dental implants. Implants can also be used to stabilize removable dentures for added comfort and stability.
- Removable Dentures: Whether you need full or partial dentures, this cost-effective solution is tailored to meet your unique needs, offering a customized replacement for missing teeth.
How Can I Tell Which Missing Tooth Replacement Options Are Right for Me?
At Riggs Family Dental in Chandler, we understand that choosing the right tooth replacement option is a highly personalized decision. Everyone's needs, goals, and lifestyle are unique, and we take the time to learn about yours before making a recommendation.
A dental implant involves placing a titanium post beneath the gums and securely attaching it to the jawbone. This post acts as a replacement root system. Over the course of a few months, the titanium fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a strong and stable foundation for your new tooth. Once integrated, we’ll attach a custom-made tooth that seamlessly blends with your natural teeth. Implants are the next best thing to a natural tooth, offering durability and a lifelike feel. However, this procedure requires sufficient jawbone density, so not everyone may qualify. If you're not a candidate for implants, there are other excellent options, such as dental bridges.
A dental bridge involves securing crowns to the teeth surrounding the gap left by a missing tooth. These crowns act as anchors for a gum-colored bridge that holds a replacement tooth in place. While bridges are non-surgical, they provide a durable, stable solution to replace a missing tooth. Many patients choose bridges as an alternative to dentures because they are less invasive than implants but still firmly anchored. During your consultation, we’ll explain both options in detail so you can choose the best one for your needs. If your remaining teeth aren’t strong enough to support a bridge, we’ll recommend an alternative.
In some cases, dentures are a great solution for replacing missing teeth. While they may not be as sturdy or permanent as implants or bridges, dentures are a valuable option, especially as a temporary solution while waiting for a more permanent treatment. They’re also ideal if you have experienced bone resorption or don’t have sufficient healthy teeth left. Modern dentures now look more natural and are less likely to shift, offering improved comfort and functionality.
At Riggs Family Dental, we’ll work with you to determine which replacement option best fits your lifestyle and dental needs.
Out of All of the Missing Tooth Replacement Options, Which One is the Most Durable?
At Riggs Family Dental, we provide a variety of durable and custom tooth replacement options tailored to your needs. If you're looking for a solution that mimics the function and appearance of a natural tooth, a dental implant is the most effective choice.
Alternatively, a dental bridge is another excellent option. It involves securing a crown to the two adjacent teeth surrounding the missing one. These crowns act as anchors, holding a gum-colored bridge in place with a new tooth attached. A bridge is a non-surgical, durable solution for replacing a missing tooth, as it’s securely fixed in place. Many of our patients prefer bridges as an alternative to dentures, as they are less invasive than implants but still provide strong, reliable support. During your consultation, we’ll explain both options in detail, helping you decide which is the best fit for you. If your remaining teeth are not healthy enough to support a bridge, we’ll guide you towards another solution.
In some cases, dentures are an ideal option for replacing missing teeth. While they may not be as durable or permanent as implants or bridges, dentures are a great solution, especially as a temporary measure while waiting for a more permanent replacement. Additionally, if you’ve experienced bone resorption or no longer have strong remaining teeth, dentures can be a necessary solution. Thanks to advancements in modern dentistry, dentures now look more natural and are designed to stay securely in place.
At Riggs Family Dental, we’re committed to helping you find the tooth replacement solution that best suits your lifestyle and dental needs.
Will My Missing Tooth Replacement Options Be Influenced by My Age?
At Riggs Family Dental, our goal is to provide you with a tooth replacement solution that is beautiful, natural-looking, and will work for your lifestyle. Age, while a factor in healthcare, has less to do with your ideal tooth replacement solution than what your lifestyle is like. For example, you could be a senior and not want to wear dentures, even though they are common. Regardless of your age, if you lead an active lifestyle, dental implants could be the best solution simply because they are the sturdiest option and will allow you to maintain all of your activities. One thing to be aware of, and this does not have to be age-related, is that when you lose a tooth, the process of resorption starts. This is when the body starts to leach calcium from your jawbone and distribute it to the rest of the body. The longer you wait to visit our Chandler dental office and have the tooth replaced, the less bone density you will have. When you then go to replace the tooth, your options could be more limited. This makes losing a tooth an urgent matter to attend to.