Restorative dentistry
Compare ways to repair teeth and replace missing teeth.
Explore your options →Understand your options
Options for missing teeth
Replacing a missing tooth is a functional, health and personal decision. The location of the space, condition of nearby teeth and gums, bone, bite, health, timing, maintenance and priorities all affect which choices are reasonable.
Start with the space and the whole mouth
The dentist examines the missing area, neighboring and opposing teeth, gums, bite and available space, then selects images for the clinical question. If a damaged tooth remains, ask whether it can be maintained before assuming replacement is necessary.
An implant-supported tooth
An implant can support a crown without preparing neighboring teeth, but it requires surgery, sufficient support, healing, restoration and long-term maintenance. Grafting or specialist care may be discussed. Placement, temporary teeth and the final crown are separate decisions.
A tooth-supported bridge
A conventional bridge uses prepared neighboring teeth to support a fixed replacement. It may avoid implant surgery, but support teeth and cleaning access matter. Ask what tooth structure must be changed, how the bridge is cleaned and what happens if a supporting tooth develops a problem.
A removable partial or complete denture
A removable appliance can replace one or many teeth and may be less invasive. Stability, clasps or attachments, tissue support, speech, chewing, cleaning, adjustment and future relines or replacement should be discussed. It must be removed and cared for as directed.
Compare complete plans and maintenance
Leaving a space may be reasonable in selected situations, but can affect function or tooth position. Compare all stages, risks, timeline, cleaning, repair, future replacement and total estimated fees. No option is maintenance-free or guaranteed to last for life.
Informed decisions
Plan your treatment and care
Dental implant cost factors
Know which stages and components to discuss in your estimate.
Explore your options →Dental implant recovery and maintenance
Prepare for healing, follow-up and long-term maintenance.
Explore your options →Repair and replace teeth
Explore restorative dentistry
Composite dental fillings
Repair limited decay or damage with a tooth-colored restoration.
Explore this option →Dental bridges
Compare fixed replacement options for one or more missing teeth.
Explore this option →Dental crowns
Understand when a tooth may need broader coverage and support.
Explore this option →Full and partial dentures
Compare full, partial and implant-supported denture concepts.
Explore this option →Full-mouth reconstruction
See how extensive restorative needs can be organized into phases.
Explore this option →Questions about missing teeth
Explore implant treatment
Dental implants
Compare replacement options, benefits, risks and long-term care.
Read the guide →Dental implant candidates
Understand what an implant evaluation considers.
Read the guide →Dental implant procedure
Follow the stages from planning to the final restoration.
Read the guide →Implant-supported dentures
Understand removable and fixed implant-supported designs.
Read the guide →Single-tooth dental implants
Connect implant placement, crown design and maintenance.
Read the guide →Implant-supported bridges
Learn how several teeth may be replaced with an implant bridge.
Read the guide →Full-arch dental implants
Review fixed and removable full-arch planning and tradeoffs.
Read the guide →Immediate dental implants
Separate immediate placement, loading and final restoration decisions.
Read the guide →Dental implants vs. bridges
Compare surgery, tooth preparation, cleaning and future repair.
Read the guide →Dental implants vs. dentures
Compare fixed and removable choices for missing teeth.
Read the guide →Dental implant problems and failure
Recognize concerns, evaluation and possible next steps.
Read the guide →Plan the practical details
Costs and your next conversation
Ask for an itemized estimate and confirm the office, clinician and appointments involved. An online appointment request starts a conversation; the office must confirm your visit.
Insurance and payment information →Questions after treatment?
Follow your treating clinician’s written instructions. Call that team directly about pain, a loose component or another concern; do not wait for a website form response. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Contact the office →Margate · Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Start with your preferred office
Confirm the treating clinician, the services available and where each surgical or restorative appointment will take place.
Margate
100 FL-7, Suite 300, Margate, FL 33063(954) 532-127402 / YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
236 Commercial Boulevard, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308(954) 568-8928Call to confirm current hours, availability and services at this office.
Your questions, answered
Do I have to replace every missing tooth?
No. The effect depends on location, function, bite, neighboring teeth and your goals. Ask about the risks of treatment and no treatment.
Which option is least expensive?
Ask for complete written estimates, including surgery or tooth preparation, temporary and final teeth, maintenance and likely future repairs.
Can I change options later?
Sometimes, but earlier treatment can change teeth, bone or space. Ask how each choice affects future alternatives before proceeding.
Get ready for your visit
Organize your paperwork, questions and next steps.
Further reading
General education does not replace an examination or an individual recommendation. These independent patient resources explain implant treatment and considerations.