Exploring the Pros and Cons of Different Tooth Replacement Options

Heather E. Martinson, DDS • November 25, 2024

According to the U.S. CDC, adults aged 20 to 34 have a mean number of 27 permanent teeth. The figure drops to 23.3 in adults aged 50 to 64, 21.7 among those between 65 and 74, and 19.8 in adults 75 or older. Many older adults have also lost all their natural teeth: About a tenth of adults 65 to 74 and almost one in five in the 75-and-older age bracket.

If you have one or more missing teeth yourself, do not despair. With significant improvements in dental technology, you now have many tooth replacement options, giving you a chance to restore your once glorious smile.

To that end, the caring team at Dr. Heather E. Martinson, DDS & Associates, put together this guide on today's tooth replacement methods. Read on to discover how they work and their benefits so you can make more informed decisions.

Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are removable oral appliances that fill in the gaps left by one, several, or all permanent missing teeth. They are among the most common tooth replacement options: According to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), around 15% of people with edentulism have dentures made yearly.

There are two primary types of dentures: partial and complete.

Traditional Partial Dentures

Traditional partial dentures can replace one or multiple teeth in the same arch. They feature a base often made of acrylic to which the artificial teeth attach. You can choose from materials like acrylic resin, cast metal, and porcelain for the replacement teeth.

Partial dentures can help you recover your:

Chewing and biting ability
Pronunciation, enunciation, and speech
Smile and self-confidence

Partial dentures can also help keep the remaining natural teeth from shifting, provided you wear them correctly and as instructed by your dentist in Arlington, TX.

Traditional Complete Dentures

Complete dentures replace all (or nearly all) missing teeth on one arch or both arches. They use the same materials and provide the same benefits as partial dentures. However, they typically require dental adhesive, a specific type of glue, to stay securely in place, as they do not have any adjacent teeth to support them.

Like partial dentures, complete dentures are among your most affordable tooth replacement options. However, they cost more than their partial counterparts because, as a type of whole-mouth reconstruction method, they require more materials and replace more missing teeth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are screw-like oral appliances that replace the entire tooth structure, from the visible part of the tooth to the roots. They often consist of three parts:

The dental implants, which replace the tooth roots
The replacement for the lost tooth or teeth
The abutment, which connects the implants with the tooth/teeth replacement

When you opt for implants, you will undergo an implant dentistry surgery. Your dentist will surgically place the implants into or above your jawbone. The implants will then fuse with the bone after a few months.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

Of all tooth replacements, the one that offers the most permanence and longevity is a dental implant. After all, it fuses with the jawbone, resulting in a secure and stable anchor for the abutment and the artificial tooth/teeth. So, you can worry less about your oral appliances becoming loose, slipping, or falling out.

Jawbone stimulation is another of the top benefits of dental implants. Stimulation is critical to jawbone health because the bone can resorb or melt without it. From there, bone resorption can lead to problems like:

Facial changes
Unwanted shifting or movement of the teeth
More tooth loss
Gum recession

Aside from functioning like your pearly whites, dental implants can look like the rest of your natural teeth, provided you choose a highly experienced implant dentist in Arlington, TX. A qualified dentist will ensure your implants are of high-quality materials. You can also trust your implant specialist to make your replacement teeth the same shade as your natural pearly whites.

Dental Implants Comparison With Traditional Dentures

Like dentures, dental implants can also be a full-mouth reconstruction option. However, implants cost more because they are more permanent and last longer if you care for them properly (just like your natural teeth).

Implants also best dentures because they stimulate the jawbone, whereas dentures are only superficial. So, while dentures can help you bite, chew, and speak better, they will not preserve your jawbone, and after some time, the bone can still resorb.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can also replace one or more teeth. Two of the most popular types are traditional dental bridges and implant-supported bridges.

How Do Traditional Dental Bridges Work?

Unlike traditional removable dentures, bridges bond to the teeth using a particular type of cement. They are "permanent" because you cannot remove them at home; only a dentist can.

Traditional bridges have dental crowns on both ends. The crowns are the anchors or posts that secure the rest of the bridge. Between the two crowns are artificial teeth that literally "bridge" or fill in the gaps left by missing teeth.

While they are integral to dental bridges, dental crowns are not the same as bridges. Crowns can also be stand-alone treatments, such as restoring badly chipped or broken teeth.

What About Implant-Supported Dental Bridges?

Some may refer to traditional dental bridges as "permanent," but they do not last forever. As Colgate.com points out, they can last at least five to seven years. However, good oral hygiene and regular dental visits can help them last over a decade or even longer.

If you want something that lasts longer, consider getting a dental bridge supported by dental implants. In this case, the bridge will still use crowns. However, instead of covering two of your natural teeth on both ends, the crowns of the implant-supported bridge attach to the implants.

Explore Your Tooth Replacement Options Today

From traditional dentures to implants and dental bridges, these are among the top tooth replacement options today. So, if you are missing one or more of your pearly whites, know that you can have them replaced, letting you eat, speak, and smile better.

If you need help deciding which one to choose, do not worry. Our dental team and highly experienced dentists at Dr. Heather E. Martinson, DDS & Associates, can help. Our primary dentist, Dr. Martinson, has served the Arlington, TX, community with her cosmetic and restorative dentistry expertise for over 25 years.

Reach out to us today so we can help you recover your dazzling, healthy smile!

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.