Tooth Replacement Options
Finding the tooth replacement option that is right for you is a personal choice. At Oral Surgery Services, we want to provide you with as many options and information as possible. Below are the most common tooth replacement options. If you are missing a single tooth or several teeth and are interested in a replacement, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular choice and offer a wide range of benefits:
- Can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth at once
- Permanent and secure replacement option
- Can be placed without causing damage to adjacent teeth
- Restores facial aesthetics
- Improves oral health
- Can eat the foods you love
- Speak clearly
- Smile with confidence!
Patients who do not qualify for other dental replacement options may find that they can be considered for dental implants. There is a good chance that you can be eligible as a dental implant candidate if you are healthy enough to undergo a minor dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction.
Full-Arch Replacement
Full-arch replacement is an ideal solution for patients who like the permanent and secure option of dental implants and are missing most or all of their teeth.
With a full-arch replacement, the prosthesis is placed on as few as four dental implant posts. Just like dental implants, if you are healthy enough to have a minor surgical procedure, then you are probably a candidate for the full-arch restoration procedure. More information about dental implants and the full-arch replacement procedure can be found by visiting our procedure pages on our website, or by calling our office to schedule a consultation.
Bridges (Tooth-Supported)
If one or more teeth need to be replaced and are next to each other, a bridge may be recommended as a tooth replacement option. Tooth-supported bridges snap over several teeth to bridge the gap created by the missing tooth. The teeth that work to support the bridge are ground down to be able to receive the prosthesis. Some patients do not like the fact that healthy teeth have to be permanently reshaped. A dentist commonly places bridges.
Bridges are not sold as a permanent tooth replacement option; they need to be replaced after some time of normal wear and tear. The time between receiving and replacement of a bridge varies from patient to patient — sometimes they last as little as a few years. Over time, these replacement costs can add up, although they cost less up front.
Full or Partial Dentures
Traditional full or partial dentures are still a common choice. They are completely removable by choice, which is a benefit to many patients who wear them. Dentures should fit snugly and not be painful to wear after the healing period. However, you may find that, as your mouth changes over time, your dentures do not fit as well as they used to. Some patients do not feel comfortable with their dentures from the beginning due to the unique structure of their mouth. Pre-prosthetic surgery is a solution to prepare the mouth to ensure a comfortable fit. Although dentures are fitted by your dentist, an oral surgeon performs pre-prosthetic surgery.
Tooth Replacement Solutions at Oral Surgery Services
Oral Surgery Services offers many tooth replacement options and will work with you to find the option that best suits your lifestyle, budget, and preference. If you would like to learn more about your tooth replacement options, we encourage you to give us a call at one of our offices, located in Metairie and Gretna, LA. A member of our staff will schedule a consultation with one of our oral surgeons.
Types of Anesthesia
As oral surgeons, Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang have undergone years of training to become experts at performing all types of oral and maxillofacial procedures, including the safe administration of anesthesia. Your treatment plan, including your options for anesthesia, will be discussed in detail before your procedure.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Tooth Replacement Options and other procedures.
"Hi, I'm Al from Chalmette. I came to see Dr. Ferguson for a dental implant. When I first walked in, it was amazing. I found the staff here to be very helpful and friendly. Dr. Ferguson, he was like an old friend to me and he explained everything, all the procedures to me about the implants. The procedure went very good, better than I thought, and the outcome is fantastic. My quality of life is fantastic, and now I just feel more confident in myself. To all my family and friends in Laplace, I would highly recommend Dr. Ferguson."
"Hi, I'm Alex from Kenner, and I went to Oral Surgery Services to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into this practice, I was greeted with nice smiles and good scenery. Everybody made me feel comfortable. I knew I was in good hands. Dr. Ferguson was a very nice man who made sure I felt safe. My procedure went so well. My recovery went very smoothly and within due time I was fine. It feels great to have a beautiful, healthy smile, all because of Dr. Ferguson. My overall experience at Oral Surgery Services was very nice. Everybody was super kind and friendly and the surgery was perfect. All my friends and family and Estelle, I highly recommend Oral Surgery Services."
"My name’s Alicia, I live in New Orleans, and I came to OSS for extractions and bone grafting. The overall experience was just very pleasant. The environment is very calm and warm and welcoming. Everybody was really helpful. I felt safe, which is really important to me. Dr. Smith was very transparent. He made me feel very comfortable. My recovery was just as I expected, just as the doctor told me it was going to be. It was very quick. It was so smooth, I didn’t even know it happened. I would one hundred percent recommend OSS to anyone in New Orleans or Jefferson Parish."
"My name is Amy, and I am from Metairie, Louisiana. My son was here for services with Dr. Ferguson. Our orthodontist found that his wisdom teeth were coming in at a severe angle — all four — and she referred us to Dr. Ferguson for that extraction. Dr. Ferguson is an ultimate professional. He made us extremely comfortable from the first meeting. The staff here is professional and very efficient. My son’s surgery went extremely well, and recovery went very well, actually a little better than I was expecting. Overall, my family had an exceptional experience here. For my family and friends in Metairie, I would highly recommend OSS."
"Hi, I'm Anne from New Orleans. I am a parent of a wisdom tooth patient, and we came to Oral Surgery Services. The staff was wonderful from the word go from the beginning. We saw Dr. Ferguson, and he was absolutely fantastic. Dr. Ferguson is incredibly personable he is on top of his game. The procedure for our son went incredibly well and it's been perfect ever since. It was a very great experience. I highly recommend oral surgery services."
"My name is Ashley. I live in Kenner, Louisiana, and I had a tooth extraction. I had two surgeries on my jaw to remove abscesses, and I had an implant placed so that I could ultimately get a permanent tooth. Everything went great, I’ve now got the permanent tooth, and I have had zero problems with it — it’s been great, and I absolutely have no worries about it for the future ever having any problems with it again. Oh, when I first came in to meet everyone, it was amazing. I walked in the door, I was greeted immediately, I was comfortable. Dr. Ferguson is an excellent, excellent surgeon and a wonderful human being — the way he treated me, and he just genuinely cares about his patients. Dr. Ferguson and his team made me feel like family here. I had a great experience here, and I would highly recommend Oral Surgery Services."
"My name is Cecelia. I’m from Metairie, Louisiana, and I had a dental extraction, bone graft, and a dental implant. I was very apprehensive before coming in. First of all, I’d never had anything like this — you hear about it — but they’re very nice. It’s a busy office, but you never feel rushed, and it’s personable service. Staff is very kind. They are very warm and cordial. Dr. Smith is very professional and very knowledgeable. Everything went well, and I had a very good experience. For my friends and family in Metairie and the New Orleans area, I highly recommend Dr. Smith."
"Hi, I'm Cindy from Metairie. I came to Oral Surgery Services for a dental implant. The staff were amazing. They were very gentle, friendly, and warm and welcoming. Just made me feel right at home. Dr. Ferguson, he's an excellent surgeon. He is also an MD. His qualifications are impeccable and I really, really felt comfortable in his care. My procedure was very smooth. Everything was just perfect. My quality of life has improved immensely. It feels wonderful to have a beautiful, healthy smile again. I would definitely recommend oral surgery services to everyone."
"My name is David and I am from, born and raised, in New Orleans, and my dentist recommended me to Dr. Ferguson for the possibility of getting implants. My overall experience here has been exceptional. When I first walked in, the team made me feel comfortable and at home. Dr. Ferguson has a great bedside manner. I think that put me at quite a bit of ease when I first met him. He’s guided me through this procedure and he’s going to see me through the procedure. I would strongly recommend Oral Surgery Services to anyone—New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner—but I think it’s well worth a visit from anywhere."
Tooth Extraction—Gretna, Metairie, and New Orleans, LA
Our team at Oral Surgery Services is here to support and guide you through each step of your oral surgery care. Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang offer many types of anesthesia to make your tooth extraction experience comfortable and positive. If you have a tooth that is badly damaged, infected, or causing severe pain, we encourage you to contact our office for an evaluation. Dr. Smith, Dr. Ferguson, and Dr. Chuang will outline all of your treatment options and help determine the right course of action for your needs.