Losing teeth is something to avoid, unless there isn’t room in someone’s mouth due to crowding (for orthodontic reasons or wisdom teeth).   Sometimes, though we try to save teeth, there isn’t enough bone or tooth structure to warrant saving the tooth or something presents clinically that gives the tooth a poor or hopeless prognosis.  This is where tooth replacement options come in.   

For single tooth replacement, the most common method these days is by way of a dental implant.  While they are more expensive, they don’t involve modifying the adjacent teeth.  A special nickel titanium “implant” is threaded into the jaw, and once healed a special crown(upper part of a tooth) is artificially made that can attach to the threaded implant that sits inside the jaw.  This implant tooth now acts and should be cared for like your other teeth, in way of regular brushing and flossing.  Note this should never come out at home, and usually in rare circumstances at the dental office when maintenance is required.