No Replacement
Aside from embarrassment and difficulty speaking and chewing, tooth loss causes the underlying bone to recede. Bone loss can cause lack of support for dentures, which causes discomfort, mobility and lack of retention. Continued loss of bone in the jaw can cause a sunken, aged appearance.

Flipper
A flipper is removable, temporary plastic tooth. It is relatively inexpensive but not very sturdy. It must be removed for cleaning and overnight.

Removable Partial Denture
A partial denture attaches to the surrounding teeth with wire clasps and is a quick and relatively inexpensive option. However, some people have indicated the device feels unnatural and causes some difficulty speaking and chewing.

Fixed Bridge
Teeth adjacent to the site are filed down to enable caps or crowns to be cemented into place. This solution is fairly quick to implement and can last for years; however, as with partial removable dentures, the teeth to which the appliance is attached can decay or become loose.

Dental Implant
Dental implants provide support for one or more replacement teeth. Implants mimic the tooth's root in the sense that they are placed within, and become fused to, the jawbone. They are therefore natural looking, comfortable and permanent. An implant surgeon works in conjunction with a restorative dentist, who ultimately creates the crown or bridge.