My Blog

Archive:
- 2019
- November (6)
- Vaping Could Be Just as Harmful to Your Teeth and Gums as Smoking
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- Make Your Baby as Comfortable as Possible During Teething
- Fluoridated Drinking Water Helps Curb Tooth Decay Safely
- 4 Foods That Are Good for Both Your Mouth and Your Body
- Implant Failure Is Rare, but Possible. Here Are a Few Ways to Avoid It
- October (7)
- Clean Your Implants Just Like Your Other Teeth
- Certain Treatments for Osteoporosis Could Complicate Oral Surgery
- Are Dentures Right for You?
- There Are a Lot of Bacteria in Your Mouth but Only a Few Mean You Harm
- 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
- Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
- Here's What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
- September (6)
- How Early Dental Visits Can Improve Your Child's Oral Health
- Periodontal Maintenance Can Help You Avoid Another Episode of Gum Disease
- Facial Nerve Pain can be Managed with Effective Treatment
- The Digital Revolution Is Transforming Implant Therapy
- Your Reoccurring Sinus Infections May Actually Be Caused by Tooth Decay
- Dental Sealants Give Children an Added Boost Against Tooth Decay
- August (7)
- Look for These Basics When Buying Your Next Toothbrush
- Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
- You Need a Dentist to Remove Tartar From Your Teeth
- Smoking Could Increase Your Gum Disease Risk
- You May Need to Postpone an Upcoming Dental Visit if You Have Shingles
- Don't Let Gum Disease Cut Short Your Implant's Service Life
- If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
- July (6)
- Primary Teeth are Critical to Future Dental Health and Worth Preserving
- How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy During Pregnancy
- Affordable Veneers Can Give You a New Smile
- You can Get Relief from Facial Pain
- Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
- Even All-Natural Fruit Juice Could Increase the Risk of Tooth Decay
- June (6)
- See Your Dentist ASAP to Save Your Loose Tooth
- Anchorage Tools Help Orthodontists Correct Complex Bite Problems
- Here's How You Can Protect Your Child's Teeth from Tooth Decay
- 3 Things You Can do to Help Promote Your Child's Dental Development
- What You can Do to Stop Sugar from Harming Your Health
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- May (7)
- Consider an Effective and Affordable RPD for Teeth Replacement
- 'Prepless' Veneers can Transform Your Smile Without Altering Your Teeth
- You May Not Need a Narcotic to Manage Post-Dental Work Pain
- Let Dental Implants Keep Your Smile Healthy
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- 3 Tips for Successful, Safe Home Teeth Whitening
- An Implant Restoration Could Prevent Bone Loss
- April (6)
- A Minor Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for You and Your Baby
- To Detect Oral Cancer Early, See Your Dentist
- Your Teenager's Teeth May Not Be Mature Enough for Veneers
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
- Avoid Bone Loss around Tooth Roots through Regular Dental Care
- Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
- March (6)
- Spring Into Better Oral Health
- A Traditional Bridge Might be the Right Solution for Your Missing Teeth
- 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- 3 Things You Should Know About Teeth Grinding
- February (6)
- 3 Ways to Take the Jitters Out of Dental Visits
- Composite Resin Could Amp up Your Teeth's Attractiveness in Just One Visit
- Test You're Brushing and Flossing Success with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Harms Your Health
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
- January (7)
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- How Fillings Make Your Smile Healthy Again
- 3 Tips for Helping Your Child Feel More Comfortable Going to the Dentist
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Flossing Daily Around Implants will Help Prevent Losing Your Bridge
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- 2018
- December (6)
- NSAIDs Could be Just as Effective as Narcotics Managing Dental Pain
- What You Need to Know to Buy the Right Toothbrush
- Overcoming Gum Recession will Restore Dental Health and your Smile
- Protecting Primary Teeth from Decay Helps Ensure Future Dental Health
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- November (6)
- Avoid Implant Failure by Watching Out for These Mouth Problems
- Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- 4 Things to Know About Diabetes and Gum Health
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- Don't Wait - Seek Out Treatment for Gum Recession Now
- October (6)
- Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
- A Topical Fluoride Treatment Could Protect Your Child from Tooth Decay
- 3 Surprising Sugar Sources Your Baby Might be Consuming
- Sedation Can Help Create a More Positive Dental Experience for a Child
- September (7)
- Managing Diabetes and Gum Disease Together will Lessen the Effect of Both
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
- A Low Sugar, High Fiber Diet will Help Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
- Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
- Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
- August (7)
- Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
- Take Years off Your Smile by Treating Age-Related Dental Problems
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Replacing a Tooth or Saving it - Which Should you do?
- 5 Causes of Bad Breath and What You Can Do About It!
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
- July (7)
- Need an Effective but Affordable Tooth Replacement? Look at a Flexible RPD
- Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- The Importance of Baby Teeth
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- What's So Special About Dental Implants?
- June (6)
- Make Efforts to Protect Your Teeth from Disease While Wearing Braces
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
- Bone Grafting Might be Necessary Before You Obtain an Implant
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
- May (7)
- Taking the Right Steps to Prevent Early Tooth Decay in Children
- Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion as well as Dental Injuries
- Your Denture Options
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- 3 Possible Timing Scenarios for Getting Your New Implant
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
- 4 Things You Should Focus on During Pregnancy for Optimal Dental Health
- April (6)
- Not Crazy about Flossing? Try a Water Flosser
- Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
- Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
- Bad Breath in Children
- Instill Good Dental Habits in Your Child as Early as Possible
- Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
- February (5)
- Children with Chronic Health Conditions may Need Extra Dental Care
- Dentures Require Planning and Attention to Detail to Look Natural
- You may Need Orthodontic Work Before Getting a Dental Implant
- We can Rid You of that Lump in Your Mouth you Keep Biting
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- 2017
- November (5)
- Paying Attention to Certain Factors Helps Ensure Successful Implant Outcomes
- Tooth Decay can be Less of a Problem with Minimally Invasive Dentistry
- How Effective is Your Oral Hygiene? Find Out with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- July (6)
- The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 5 Things you can do to Improve Your Child's Future Dental Health
- Loose Adult Teeth Require Immediate Attention and Treatment
- The Benefits Of Dental Crowns
- You Don't have to Suffer from Irritating Canker Sores
- May (5)
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- Could Dentures Be Right for Me?
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Artificial Sweeteners are By and Large a Safe Alternative to Sugar
- March (6)
- Attention to Detail Crucial to a Beautiful Smile Supported by Dental Implants
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Why Are Porcelain Veneers Effective?
- Be Sure to have These 3 Essentials Covered Beforehand for Veneer Success
- Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
- All Gum Disease Treatments Have the Same Goal - Removing Bacterial Plaque
- 2016
- November (6)
- Start Early with Your Baby's Dental Care
- Ensure the Best Outcome with the Right Care for a Teen's Missing Tooth
- Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
- Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
- Teaching Your Child Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- July (5)
- Though not Always Seen, it's Still Important to Replace a Missing Back Tooth
- 4 Reasons Saving Your Child's Decayed Baby Tooth is a Good Idea
- Antibiotic Resistance Requires Action - and a Change of Attitude
- Thumb Sucking And Your Child's Developing Smile
- Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
- March (6)
- 4 Advantages to Using Composite Resins for Restoring Teeth
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Watch for these 4 Signs of Gum Disease
- Support Your Child's Teeth Development with Proper Hygiene and Dental Care
- 3 Ways Your Dental Hygienist Improves Your Oral Health
- The Benefits of Dental Implants
- 2015
- December (5)
- Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
- Did You Know? February Is National Children's Dental Health Month!
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Is Dental Treatment Safe During Pregnancy?
- Treating Dry Mouth is Important for Maintaining Good Oral Health
- 2014
- September (6)
- New Partial Dentures More Comfortable and Durable Than Older Models
- New Guidelines Issued for Administering Antibiotics Before a Dental Procedure
- Bone Grafting can put Implants Back on Your Options List
- 5 Oral Health Care Tips To Remember This Summer
- Removing Bacterial Plaque is Critical to Halting Advancing Gum Disease
- Early Detection is Critical to Surviving Oral Cancer
- August (5)
- Our Arsenal of Weapons in the War Against Gum Disease
- Overcome Oral Cancer With Screenings and Lifestyle Changes
- Taking Precautions Before, During and After Implants Will Help Ensure Success
- Home vs. Professional Teeth Whitening - Weighing Your Options
- Preserving or Restoring Teeth - Both Paths Lead to Better Oral Health
- 2013
- October (6)
- Health Risks of Oral Piercings
- Cancer Treatment and Oral Health: What You Should Know
- Treating Thumb Sucking Now Could Reduce Orthodontic Treatment Later
- Patients in Syracuse Seek Veneers to Mask Dental Blemishes
- Loose Teeth - A Sign of Trouble That Requires Quick Action
- Implant Overdentures: a Marriage of Options for Lower Jaw Tooth Replacement
- 2012
- August (7)
- Can Thumb Sucking Harm Your Child's Teeth?
- Testing Your Knowledge: Do Your Children Have Good Oral Health?
- Enhance Your Smile Through Teeth Whitening
- How Do Dental Implants Help Preserve Your Youthful Appearance?
- Are Dental Implants Okay For Teenagers?
- Questions You Should Ask Before Getting Porcelain Veneers
- Your Dentist May Be Able To Help You Stop Snoring
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Categories:
Dentist Blog
Posts for tag: tooth replacement

Losing a tooth affects not only your smile but your overall dental health too. A dental implant solves both issues: it replaces the whole tooth, including the root, to merge durability with a life-like appearance.
For teenagers with a missing tooth, however, an implant may not be a good idea, at least until they've physically matured. Although their permanent teeth have usually all come in by puberty, the jaws and facial structure continue to develop into early adulthood. An implant placed too early could appear misaligned when the jaw fully matures.
The best approach for teens is a temporary replacement until they're physically ready for an implant. There are two good options: a removable partial denture (RPD) or a fixed bonded bridge.
Common among adults, an RPD is also a viable replacement for a teenager's missing tooth. An RPD consists of a prosthetic (false) tooth set in a nylon or acrylic base that resembles gum tissue. Metal clips formed in the RPD fit over adjacent teeth to hold the appliance in place; this also makes it easy to remove for cleaning or sleep time. We typically recommend an acrylic base for teens because it's easier to adjust if the RPD's fit becomes loose.
To hold it in place, a traditional bridge uses crowns on either side of the replacement tooth to bond over the natural teeth next to the open socket. Because this requires permanently altering the support teeth, we recommend a bonded bridge that doesn't.
This modified bridge uses wing-like strips of dental material on the back of the false tooth that project outward. With the tooth in place, we bond the extending portions of these projections to the back of the adjacent teeth, which secures the false tooth in place.
Of the two options, the bonded bridge is more comfortable, buys the most time and looks the most natural. But it will cost more than an RPD. Bite issues, teeth grinding, overall gum health or your child's level of hygiene conscientiousness could also nix it as a viable option.
Either choice will effectively replace your child's missing tooth until it's time for a permanent restoration. We'll help you weigh all the factors to determine which one is best for your situation.
If you would like more information on restoration options for teens, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Your front teeth are the stars of your smile — so it makes perfect sense to replace them if they’re missing. But is it really necessary to replace a largely unseen back tooth with an implant or bridgework?
The answer is an unequivocal yes. Your individual teeth are an interactive part of a dynamic mechanism that enables you to eat, speak and smile. They’re highly adaptable and can move incrementally to accommodate mouth changes — especially when one of them is lost.
Back teeth not only help us chew food efficiently, they also ease some of the pressure from front teeth as we chew. Our efficiency while chewing suffers when they’re missing; other teeth will wear faster and tend to move out of position, “drifting” into the space left by the missing tooth. And without their stimulation during chewing, new bone may grow at a slower rate to replace older bone, reducing bone volume over time.
So, whether visible or not, replacing a back tooth is the best course to take to prevent these adverse consequences. Your two best options are fixed bridgework or dental implants, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Bridgework has been the traditional method for replacing one or a few missing teeth: they’re long-lasting if cared for properly, have a life-like appearance that blends well with other teeth and are a good option when implants aren’t. But they require extensive altering of the anchor teeth (those used on either side of the bridge to secure it) and they’re highly prone for trapping food between them and the gums, increasing the risk of disease.
Dental implants are easily maintained and their installation doesn’t affect adjacent teeth as with a bridge. They’re also durable with a 95% success rate after ten years. On the other hand, the installation process can take several months and visits, and they require a certain amount of bone mass for proper placement and so aren’t ideal for certain patients.
Regardless of its location, if you have a missing tooth or one that may need to be removed, you should visit us for a complete examination. From there we can tell you how your mouth has been impacted by the missing tooth and which replacement option is best for you.
If you would like more information on tooth replacement options, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Replacing Back Teeth.”