FIRST COAST ORAL SURGERY
Andrew Skigen, DMD, FACS • Anthony Massaro, MD, DMD
Sepideh Sabooree, MD, DMD • Stacey M. Nedrud, MD, DMD, FACS
Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Fellows of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Replacement Teeth Options in Jacksonville, FL & Lake City, FL
Replacing Your Missing Teeth in Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island
A missing tooth can certainly change the appearance of your smile. Whether a missing tooth is the result of gum disease, injury, severe tooth decay, or a genetic condition, a missing tooth can cause several problems. Regardless of the way a tooth is lost, it can negatively impact the alignment of your teeth over time and cause a number of problems down the road if it isn’t replaced. Sometimes the value of your teeth isn’t realized until they are lost, and unfortunately, teeth do not last forever. Even the loss of a single tooth can have a negative impact on your oral health and confidence. A missing tooth or teeth can also affect your speech, ability to chew your food, the integrity of your jawbone, and cause the slow shifting of your teeth into some of the empty spaces. Luckily, we offer a number of excellent options available to replace your missing tooth or teeth to help restore your beautiful smile.
Tooth Replacement Options
You can select from a number of different options to replace your missing teeth – from temporary to long-lasting solutions. A good candidate is anyone missing one or more teeth, or who is unhappy with their dentures. Age is not a factor. However, smoking, diseases such as diabetes, and radiation therapy to the area, have been shown to lower the success rate of implant placement. X-rays of your jaw will be taken to evaluate whether they will accommodate implants. Detailed x-rays may also be required to determine if other tests or procedures are needed to place implants properly.
Hover on the images below to learn more about tooth replacement option.
FIXED BRIDGE
A fixed bridge is a connected set of replacement teeth. For support, it is cemented into position on top of the teeth adjacent to the empty space. The protective outer layer of these teeth is usually removed or ground down prior to attaching the bridge.
DENTURE
The most common solution, for people missing all teeth in one or both jaws are complete dentures. Some people adapt well to dentures. Others find them uncomfortable, even intolerable, because of differences in jaw size and shape.
METAL PARTIAL
A less fragile option is a removable partial denture cast in metal and plastic. It is held in place by wire clips. A removable partial denture can be removed and reinserted when required by the patient.
DENTAL IMPLANT
Dental implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution. They form a strong foundation for teeth and keep the jaw healthy and strong. Implants support individual replacement teeth or secure specialized dentures in place. Unlike bridges, no healthy teeth are damaged. Unlike most bridges, implants can last a lifetime. Implant-supported replacement teeth can be attractive, stable, and comfortable for almost any patient.
Want to learn more? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
Why Replace a Tooth
Dr. Skigen and Dr. Massaro
First of all, why should I replace my missing teeth? Obviously, everyone loves a nice toothy smile, but don’t forget the real reason we have teeth – for chewing our food. And for each missing tooth, you lose about 10% of your chewing ability. Your jaw is designed to operate with 28 teeth and as soon as one is out of the equation, the surrounding teeth start to drift into the empty space. This not only makes your good teeth more prone to decay and gum disease, but it can also change your appearance. Because after an extraction, the bone that supports the teeth begins to shrink over time and your face adjusts with it. Of course, no one wants to look and feel older than they really are! But the longer you wait after a tooth is extracted, the more bone volume you lose. And the more bone volume you lose, the more expensive and difficult it becomes to get teeth replaced.
Tooth Replacement Options
Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the most common methods of tooth replacement. Dental implants are a very reliable type of tooth replacement that both looks and feels like a real tooth. Dental implants provide a permanent solution if you need to replace a single tooth, or multiple teeth, in different areas. If taken care of, dental implants can last you a lifetime. It begins with the replacement of your tooth’s root with metal screws, which will be used as an anchor for the false tooth placed on top. Once the screws have been put into place, you will need to allow the implant to heal for a few months, during which time, the implant becomes securely fused to your jawbone. Once the implant has healed completely, a dental crown will be placed on top and secured.
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Pros of Dental Implants:
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They are one of the most effective options to replace missing teeth
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They provide a very natural look and feel
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There is no involvement of your neighboring teeth, so adjacent teeth remain intact
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They are a permanent, lifelong replacement, requiring no regular check-ups.
Tooth Replacement Options
Implant-Supported Bridge
An Implant-Supported Bridge is an ideal solution for multiple missing teeth in a row. The process of replacing each tooth with a dental implant can be very lengthy and unnecessary. With an implant-supported bridge, only the teeth at the two ends are secured in place with implants. The teeth in the middle of the two ends are held in place without any screwing.
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Pros of Implant-Supported Bridge:
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An economical choice for replacing several missing teeth in a row
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The bridge is equally as effective as a dental implant
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They provide a natural look.
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Cons of Implant-Supported Bridges
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They can only be used under certain circumstances when there are several missing teeth in a row
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Implant-supported bridges are not a permanent solution, and the bridges will need to be replaced
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The placement of an implant-supported bridge requires numerous visits to the dentist.
“Don’t be afraid to Smile.”
For years I’d felt like a part of my body was missing — because my teeth were. My dentist told me that dental implants would make me feel and look a lot better. OK, I said. Now, I’m thrilled. I can smile, eat anything, and enjoy a good laugh with my friends.
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Tooth Replacement Options
Removable partial dentures
Removable partial dentures are a comparatively simpler option to replace missing teeth, similar to dental implants. Compared to a complete set of dentures for all your teeth, removable partial dentures are suggested for individuals with a few missing teeth. Removable partial dentures are clasped into its correct place, which ensures that the false teeth are held in the appropriate spots.
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Pros of Removable Partial Dentures
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Additional teeth can be added directly to the partial denture if any teeth are lost in the future, which can help you save time and money.
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Removable partial dentures are one of the cheapest options for tooth replacement.
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Partial dentures are easy to repair and replace if needed.
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The application of partial dentures is simple and only requires the addition of metal clasps.
Cons of Removable Partial Dentures
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The dentures must be removed and cleaned on a daily basis and removed before sleeping.
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Partial dentures do not blend in as natural as dental implants because the metal clasps can be visible.
PAYMENT OPTIONS​
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For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients. Payment is due at the time service is rendered unless other arrangements have been made in advance. If you have questions regarding your account, please contact any of our locations. Many times, a simple telephone call can clear up any misunderstandings.
INSURANCE​
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At First Coast Oral Surgery we make every effort to provide you with the finest care and the most convenient financial options. To accomplish this we work hand-in-hand with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. If you have any problems or questions, please ask our team. They are well informed and here to assist you. You can contact any of our locations.
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Both of our offices accept most PPO Dental Plans.