All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.

Now that Christmas season is here with all the snow, I thought I might discuss treatment options for missing teeth.

In general there are 3 options for replacement of a missing tooth.

1. The best treatment is an implant. This is metal (titanium) root placed into the jaw bone with a crown attached. This tooth is not removable and can be cared for just like a natural tooth.

2. Next is a bridge. This treatment uses the teeth next to the open space to "bridge" the gap. It requires crowns to be placed on the neighboring teeth with a false tooth attached. A bridge is also not removable, but connects at least 3 teeth together making cleaning more of a challenge.

3. Lastly is a removable partial denture. This is a removable appliance, either made of plastic or metal, that is custom made for your mouth. It has false teeth attached to it to fill the space or spaces. This appliance must be removed for cleaning daily and is not permanently attached in your mouth.

If you have any questions or would like to visit me to discuss any of your dental concerns please call us at 989-686-9600 or visit our website www.azgdds.com for more information on treatments we provide and contacting us.