Having braces placed on your teeth is a complex process. It involves evaluating your teeth, the way your bite should be, and what approaches will be best to move your teeth into proper position. In some cases, you might need to have a tooth or two extracted, particularly if your wisdom teeth have emerged.

If you have a single missing tooth, you have a variety of options for tooth replacement. These include traditional options like partial dentures as well as dental implants. You and your dentist can determine the best option for your individual situation.

Dental implants are placed in a surgical procedure. Anesthesia is necessary for your comfort during the surgery. You may or may not require general anesthetic depending upon the number of implants you have placed.

Wisdom teeth often need to be removed because they are impacted. This means they can’t emerge all the way from the gums. If a tooth becomes impacted, it often requires an oral surgeon to remove it, although some impacted teeth can be removed in the dentist’s office.

Because wisdom teeth are large and the last molars to arrive, often there isn’t enough room for them to emerge properly. In these cases, they need to be extracted. If a wisdom tooth becomes infected—a common side effect to impaction—you might need to have the infection treated before the tooth can be removed.

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to emerge. They usually arrive in your late teens or early twenties. Many people don’t have enough room for their wisdom teeth and so much have them extracted. In most cases, removing the teeth is more beneficial than trying to leave them intact.

Traditional dental implants have been a preferred option for many years. This type of implant uses a single implant—basically an artificial root—to support each individual new tooth. The bone bonds to the titanium in the implant, creating a solid, permanent foundation for your tooth. This bond also helps the bone continue to grow. With traditional dentures or with crown and bridge replacements, the bone will atrophy over time.

Sedation dentistry is an extremely helpful technique for those who experience anxiety related to dental visits. Dental anxiety is very common, and leads many people to avoid the dentist entirely. It is most commonly used during restoration procedures, but can also help you remain comfortable during certain types of cosmetic dentistry work.

Dental implants can be used to replace any missing tooth, whether it’s an incisor or a molar. A single tooth can be replaced with an implant, or all of your teeth if necessary. Each implant has its own individual root, as well as the visible crown. This means it has several major advantages over other forms of tooth replacement.

Dental implants are an excellent way to replace missing teeth. Almost anyone who has lost a tooth, or multiple teeth, can benefit from them. However, some factors can adversely affect the likelihood of a successful implant procedure.