What Are My Options for Replacing Missing Teeth in Stafford?

If you're missing a tooth, or several, you have more choices than most people expect. At Namu Dental Care in Stafford, VA, Dr. Daniel Dafo talks patients through the same options for replacing missing teeth: a dental implant, a bridge, a removable partial denture, or leaving the space alone for now. Here's how each one works, what can change while you wait, and how we help you decide what fits your life and your budget.

What are my options for replacing a missing tooth?

For one missing tooth, the main options are a dental implant, a bridge or a removable partial denture. "I always line out their options," Dr. Dafo says, and this is the order he explains them in.

1. A dental implant. An implant is a small post placed in the jawbone that holds a crown on top. Implants are made of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the body. Dr. Dafo puts implants first because, in his words, "It mimics natural teeth. You can floss it."
2. A bridge. A bridge fills the gap with an artificial tooth that's attached to the surrounding teeth for support. To do that, the teeth on either side have to be shaped. Dr. Dafo says a bridge "has its purpose," for example when there isn't enough bone for an implant or a medical issue rules one out.
3. A removable partial denture. This is a replacement tooth you take out and put back in. It's the third option on Dr. Dafo's list, because something that comes in and out can affect your speech and makes cleaning more work.
4. Waiting. Doing nothing is also a choice, and it's yours to make. We'll just make sure you know what can happen in the meantime.

What happens if you wait to replace a missing tooth?

The longer a gap stays open, the more can change around it. Missing teeth can change the way you chew and speak, and Dr. Dafo explains to patients that the bone where the tooth used to be starts to shrink while nearby teeth can move into the space. That can make the problem harder and more expensive to fix later.

He compares it to pulling a small plant out of the soil: the soil around the hole flattens itself out. Without a tooth or an implant there, the bone has no purpose, so it smooths itself away. That's why his advice is "the sooner the better."

What does getting a dental implant involve?

It starts with an exam and a consultation, where we check whether you have enough bone for an implant or need a bone graft first. We take the images we need, explain what the procedure looks like and how long it will take from start to finish, and give you a treatment plan before anything begins.

Dr. Dafo usually lets an implant heal for at least three months before the final crown goes on, sometimes longer on the upper jaw, so the bone has time to grow around it. If the gap shows while you heal, we can talk through temporary options, such as a flipper, a small removable tooth that fills the space.

When you're deciding if an implant is right for you, your general health is more of a factor than your age. Conditions like diabetes and using tobacco can slow healing, so we'll ask about both.

What if you're missing most or all of your teeth?

You aren't limited to a traditional denture. Dr. Dafo describes two ways implants can hold a full arch of teeth:

• A fixed full-arch denture that's attached to implants and stays in. You don't take it out at home.
• An implant-supported denture you remove to clean and then put back in place.

For fixed full-arch treatment, we plan where each implant goes with a surgical guide rather than placing them freehand. On the day of surgery, temporary teeth go in, and your final teeth are made after the area heals, about six months on average.

A traditional denture is still an option, and some patients choose one while they plan for implants. New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks and may feel loose while your cheek and tongue muscles learn to hold them in place.

Why do Stafford patients choose Namu Dental Care for replacing missing teeth?

Dr. Daniel Dafo, DDS, handles dental implants in Stafford, VA in our office, from the surgery through the final restoration. Many patients expect to be sent to another office for the surgery and then come back for the crown. The one exception Dr. Dafo names is general anesthesia: if you'd like to be put to sleep for implant surgery, that isn't something we offer yet, and we'll talk through what that means for your plan.

Early in his career, working in volunteer dental clinics, Dr. Dafo saw people walk in ashamed of their teeth and walk out ready to interview for jobs they'd been avoiding. He still lays out every option and leaves the choice with you. "I like to just leave the decision to them," he says. For larger treatment like implants, we offer financing through CareCredit, Cherry and Proceed Finance, and our team walks you through each one.

What do patients ask most about replacing missing teeth?

Can I get an implant if I've lost bone?

Often, yes. Dr. Dafo says that in the majority of cases a bone graft can be done first to build up the area. At your consultation we'll check your bone and tell you whether you need one before an implant can go in.

How do I take care of an implant?

Brush and floss around it like a natural tooth and keep up your regular cleanings. Dr. Dafo calls good home care and hygiene visits the foundation for any treatment you invest in: "That's the foundation."

How do I pay for replacing a missing tooth?

Insurance can help, and for larger treatment we offer CareCredit, Cherry and Proceed Finance. We'll go over the costs and the parts of your treatment before you say yes.

Missing a tooth and not sure which option is right for you? Call our Stafford dental office at 540-288-9212 or request an appointment online, and we'll walk you through your options at a pace that feels right.

Published by Namu Dental Care.