If your house had a window missing, your top priority would be to replace it to maintain your home and avoid further damage from weather or intruders. Your dental health should be treated the same way; if you're missing a permanent tooth, replacing it is vitally important. Below, Dr. Todd Johnson of Johnson Dental in Onalaska, Wisconsin discover how you can replace your missing teeth with attractive and functional restorations.

Partial dentures

Missing one or more teeth can affect your confidence and your dental health. For our patients with a combination of missing and healthy permanent teeth, partial dentures are a great option. These custom-made appliances typically have a combination of porcelain or resin teeth, a plastic gum base, and metal clasps that connect to natural teeth to stay in place. People who cannot support dental implants due to low bone density or other health conditions often make great candidates for partial dentures.

Full dentures

If you're missing all of your natural teeth, or the ones you have left aren't healthy, your Unalaska dentist may recommend full dentures. These dental restorations fit over your gum ridges, staying in place with a combination of suction and an adhesive paste. If your gum ridges are healthy and stable, Dr. Johnson may recommend dentures that are supported by a series of implants. Instead of suction, the dentures stay in place with attachments that line up with the implants and fasten on.

Dental implants

For dentists and patients alike, the "gold standard" for tooth restorations has become dental implants. These permanent replacements don't just replace the visible portion of your teeth. The metal implants do an excellent job standing in for the roots of natural teeth, offering an unprecedented way to make sure your dental health is optimal for many years to come. In fact, dental implants from your Onalaska dentist can last as long as an entire lifetime if you take care of them properly.

If you're missing a tooth, you have options at Johnson Dental. Contact our office in Onalaska, Wisconsin at 608-788-3852 to set up an appointment with Dr. Todd Johnson today.