Tooth Replacement in Fayetteville, AR

We do our best to preserve all of your natural teeth whenever possible because we know that it is an excellent way to protect your health. Occasionally, however, removing a damaged or infected tooth might be the best way to protect your health as well as your remaining teeth.

Losing a tooth can be a very traumatic experience and it is unfortunate when it does happen. Not only does it affect how you feel about your appearance, but it can also negatively affect your health. Tooth loss increases your chances of having tooth loss-related dental conditions in the future, such as bone resorption, occlusal (bite) problems, periodontal disease, and additional tooth loss.

Tooth Replacement Treatments

At Scott J. Stephens Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide tooth replacement options for every lifestyle and budget. Our teeth are designed to work together as a system. When you lose a tooth, it affects your remaining teeth by placing a heavier burden on them. Replacing your missing teeth is essential to supporting your health and to keeping your surrounding teeth from collapsing and tilting.

Dental Implants 

Dental implants consist of biocompatible metals, such as titanium, and are designed to mimic your natural teeth by providing an artificial root that will naturally integrate with your healthy bone. This provides the strong and stable foundation for an implant crown to replace your missing tooth.

Because they are so convenient, dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement options available. We create a custom crown to match your natural teeth so that your implant will blend in seamlessly, completing your smile.

When you lose a tooth, you may begin to lose bone. Your teeth and bone have a dependant relationship. Your bone holds your tooth’s root in place and your tooth’s root stimulates bone regeneration. Without that relationship, your jaw bone can begin to deteriorate. Dental implants have the added benefit of protecting that relationship and helping to preserve your bone, which protects the foundation for your remaining teeth.

Dental implants are helpful in securing and stabilizing dentures. Implant-supported dentures are a dramatic improvement over conventional dentures, which can be loose and unstable.

Dental Bridges 

Before dental implants, fixed bridges were the most popular way to replace your missing teeth. In order for your dental bridge to be successful, your adjacent teeth must be strong enough to support it. We will fit the adjacent teeth for specialized crowns that will support your artificial tooth and fill in the gap in your smile.

Bridges are fairly simple procedures and carry the same risk factors as dental crowns. They are usually a relatively routine procedure, but it is important to remember that bridges have a finite life span and will eventually need replacement.

Removable Partials and Dentures 

For patients missing multiple teeth or all of their teeth, partial dentures and complete dentures provide an option for replacement. 

Partial dentures – use your remaining teeth as an anchor for your partial denture, giving it added stability.

Complete dentures – replace teeth that are completely missing on the upper or lower arch.

Dentures do have some challenges. Because they are removable, they have the tendency to move around, which can create sores and make eating certain foods difficult.

Do You Have Missing Teeth?

Call our Fayetteville, AR dental office to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Scott Stephens and he can help you determine the tooth replacement option that will work best for you.