I Lost a Tooth — What Are My Replacement Options? | Merchant's Walk Dental East Cobb
I lost a tooth. What are my replacement options?
Replacing a missing tooth protects your bite, your bone, and your smile. Here's a clear look at your options.
Why replacing a missing tooth matters
A missing tooth is not just a cosmetic concern. When a tooth is gone, the neighboring teeth gradually shift into the gap, bite alignment changes, and the jawbone beneath the extraction site begins to shrink (resorb). Over time, this can affect your ability to chew, change the shape of your face, and make future replacement more complex and expensive.
The sooner a missing tooth is replaced, the more options you have — and the simpler the process tends to be.
Your replacement options
A titanium post is placed into the jawbone and topped with a porcelain crown — the closest thing to a natural tooth. Implants preserve bone, do not affect neighboring teeth, and can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth
- Preserves jawbone and prevents bone loss
- Does not require altering neighboring teeth
- Long-term investment — can last decades
A fixed restoration that spans the gap using the neighboring teeth as anchors. The bridge is cemented in place — no removal required.
- Fixed in place — no removal
- Restores chewing function and appearance
- Typically completed in two appointments
- Requires preparing the neighboring teeth
A removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth. Partial dentures are generally the most affordable option and can be a good solution when multiple teeth are missing.
- Removable — taken out for cleaning
- Can replace multiple missing teeth
- More affordable upfront cost
- May feel less stable than fixed options
Which option is right for you?
The best replacement depends on your bone health, the location of the missing tooth, your budget, and your long-term goals. We will review your X-rays and discuss all available options at your consultation — with no pressure to choose the most expensive treatment.
We offer all three options in-office
We're here to help
We serve patients throughout East Cobb, Marietta, Roswell, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Woodstock, and Alpharetta. Call (770) 691-5051 or schedule a consultation online.
