TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS

Tooth Replacement Options

There are many negative consequences of living with missing teeth.  Some of these include poor nutrition, facial asymmetry, altered speech, embarrassment, and even depression. You deserve to look and feel your best! Hargis Family Dental offers several tooth replacement options to meet your needs. Call us today at 318-640-5055 for more information and to schedule an appointment. 

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most natural and permanent treatment option for replacing one or more missing teeth. A crown is made to match your natural teeth and is attached to a permanent implant, which your jawbone actually grows around and holds in place. Multiple teeth can be replaced with an implant-supported bridge.

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Crowns

A traditional crown, or "cap," can be placed by your dentist for a variety of reasons. It can be purely cosmetic, to cover a discolored or badly shaped tooth. A tooth that has had a root canal or a very large filling will need to be crowned to protect the restored tooth. To place a bridge, the two healthy teeth on either side of the missing teeth will be crowned. 

Dr. Hargis will prepare the tooth by removing decay and reshaping it. You will receive a temporary crown the same day. Impressions will be taken so our dental lab can create your custom permanent crown. When your crown returns from the lab, it will be placed and adjusted, and then cemented in place.

Fixed Bridges

A fixed bridge is a less expensive alternative to an implant-supported bridge to replace missing teeth. The replaced teeth, or pontics, will look the same as natural teeth, are attached together, and will be held by crowns on either end (abutments). This requires healthy teeth on both sides of the gap created by your missing teeth, and will involve reshaping these teeth to accept the crowns. The bridge will be cemented into place.

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Dentures — Prospect, LA — Hargis Family Dental

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Removable Partials

As the name suggests, these can be easily removed for cleaning and sleeping. RPDs (removable partial dentures) can be used when there is a combination of healthy teeth and missing teeth. They have a pink acrylic base and may have metal clasps that securely grip your natural teeth. There are many options; our team will give you all the information you need to make your best choice.

Complete Dentures

If you need all of your upper or lower teeth replaced you may be considering a Complete Upper, Complete Lower, or a Complete Set of dentures. We work with you to create and fit a beautiful new set of teeth so you can get back to your confident lifestyle. A complete denture is made and placed after your teeth are removed and the gums heal and shrink. For only one arch, you may want to match the color, size, and shape of your opposing, natural teeth. Or for a brand new set of complete dentures, you may want to have those perfectly straight pearly whites you've always dreamed of!

Immediate Dentures

Some are candidates for and may choose to have an Immediate Denture. This is the same as a Complete Denture, except it is made beforehand and placed immediately upon removal of your natural teeth. The benefits are clear--no time spent without teeth. The drawbacks are that the denture is placed directly on extraction sites, and gums will shrink during healing. As the denture has already been created, it may no longer fit when healing is complete. Usually they can be adjusted or relined. Like with all tooth replacement options, Dr. Hargis and his team will discuss all pros and cons, and will answer any questions you have throughout the entire process.

To learn more about tooth replacement services, call our office today at 318-640-5055. 

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