Missing teeth can make eating, speaking, and smiling more difficult while leading to bone loss and additional dental problems over time. Our prosthodontic specialists provide personalized tooth replacement solutions that restore your smile, protect your oral health, and improve your quality of life.
Replacing Missing Teeth Durham, NC
Tooth Replacement Options for Every Smile
or call 919-489-8661
Award-Winning Care Recognized Nationally
Specialists in Complex Smile Restoration & Dental Implants
Trusted by Thousands of Patients with a 5.0 ★ Google Rating
20+ Years Helping Patients Smile and Live Confidently
How Missing Teeth Affect Your Oral Health
Missing teeth can impact much more than your appearance. Tooth loss can affect your bite, speech, chewing ability, and overall oral health while placing additional stress on your remaining teeth. Over time, this extra strain may lead to premature wear, damage, headaches, jaw pain, and even further tooth loss.
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink because it no longer receives stimulation from the tooth root. Significant bone loss can occur during the first year after extraction, making future tooth replacement more challenging. Dental implants help preserve jawbone structure by functioning like natural tooth roots, supporting both your oral health and facial appearance.
At Durham Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry, our specialists can help you choose the most appropriate treatment to restore your smile and protect your long-term dental health.
Tooth Replacement Options
There are several effective ways to replace missing teeth, ranging from temporary appliances to permanent restorations.
Fixed Bridge
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the neighboring teeth. This typically requires reshaping the adjacent teeth to support the restoration.
Flipper
A flipper is a lightweight, removable appliance with a single replacement tooth. It is generally used as a temporary and economical solution while planning permanent treatment.
Partial Denture
A removable partial denture uses a metal framework and acrylic teeth to replace multiple missing teeth. It is secured with clasps and can be removed for cleaning.
Complete Denture
Patients missing all teeth in an upper or lower arch may benefit from complete dentures. While many people adapt well to dentures, comfort and stability can vary depending on jaw anatomy.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are considered the most durable and natural-feeling tooth replacement option. They replace the tooth root with a titanium implant that supports a crown, bridge, or denture while helping preserve the jawbone. Unlike traditional bridges, implants do not require altering healthy adjacent teeth and can last for decades with proper care.
Most patients missing one or more teeth—or those dissatisfied with removable dentures—may be candidates for dental implants. During your consultation, our team will evaluate your jawbone with diagnostic imaging and determine whether implants are the right solution for your needs.
We’re accepting new patients. Give us a call or request an appointment online.
or call 919-489-8661
Meet Your Team of Dentists
We're a team of gentle and compassionate dentists dedicated to the highest standards of care, combining specialized expertise with a compassionate approach.

Originally from West Virginia, Dr. Cunningham was fortunate to be raised in a small town where his dad practiced general dentistry and his mother was a stay-at-home mom.
In 2015, Dr Cunningham achieved his dream of private practice ownership becoming the owner of Durham Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry. Also in 2015, Dr. Cunningham achieved his board certification, an achievement that only a small percentage of prosthodontists in the world attain.
In 2018, Dr. Cunningham was extremely honored to be awarded the Private Practice Award by the American College of Prosthodontics. This award is given out to only four practitioners in the United States annually. Dr. Cunningham is published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, lectures for world renowned implant companies nationally, serves as an expert witness, and provides dental industry consultation services. He is honored to be named as Durham Magazine’s Top Dentist by his peers, year after year.
Simply put, Dr. Cunningham loves the art and science of dentistry and is very passionate about the pursuit of clinical excellence. The decision to specialize in Prosthodontics is based on this passion and the yearning to have the ability to treat more complex multidisciplinary cases, a skill that is not taught in the general dentistry realm. He is also has many local and out of state dentists come to him for their own dental care.
Dr. Cunningham is married to his wife, Karen Cunningham. They have two daughters, Annalee and Audrey. When he isn’t working to improve your smile, Dr. Cunningham enjoys outdoor sports, reading, watching documentaries, and spending time with family.

A native of North Carolina, Dr. Gazdeck grew up the oldest of four siblings in Lincolnton, NC. After graduating Summa Cum Laude and a Valedictorian from North Carolina State University in 2009 he went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2014.
He continued his education by completing a 3-year specialty residency in Prosthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago, obtaining a certificate in Prosthodontics and a Master of Science (MS) in Oral Sciences in 2017. A year later in 2018 he completed his formal education after a fellowship in Maxillofacial Prosthetics, a subspecialty of prosthodontics involving head and neck cancer, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Following his training, Dr. Gazdeck decided to return home and join Durham Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry in the Summer of 2018. Soon after, Dr. Gazdeck attained Diplomate status from the American Board of Prosthodontics, and together he and Dr. Cunningham are the only two Board Certified Prosthodontists in Private Practice within Durham-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Gazdeck holds an appointment at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry as an Adjunct Assistant Professor within the Department of Prosthodontics. He utilizes his additional head and neck cancer training to lead and oversee the maxillofacial prosthetics course and clinic each week with the prosthodontic residents. Dr. Gazdeck lectures locally and nationally on current topics in cancer treatment, dental implants, advanced restorative dentistry, and is published in the Journal of Oral Diseases.
He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontics, Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Member of the American Dental Association, and is involved with local dental societies and study clubs.
Dr. Gazdeck is married to his wife Leslie, who he met while in dental school. Leslie is a pediatric dentist in the triangle area and together they have three sons named Nate, Matt, and Will. Outside of the office, Dr. Gazdeck values family time and loves to travel, golf, and explore the outdoors.
Financial & Pricing
Transparent Pricing
We always focus on clearly communicating the cost of treatments so you know exactly what to expect.
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No Insurance, No Problem
Many of our patients pay out of pocket with cash, credit card, debit etc. We also offer third party financing through CareCredit.
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FAQs About Replacing Missing Teeth
What are my options for replacing missing teeth?
There are several ways to replace missing teeth, including dental implants, dental bridges, removable partial dentures, complete dentures, and implant-supported dentures. The best option depends on the number of missing teeth, your oral health, jawbone density, and your long-term goals.
What is the best way to replace a missing tooth?
For many patients, a dental implant is considered the gold standard for replacing a missing tooth because it looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. Unlike a bridge, an implant doesn’t require altering neighboring healthy teeth and helps preserve the jawbone.
What happens if I don't replace a missing tooth?
Without treatment, the jawbone beneath the missing tooth begins to shrink due to lack of stimulation. Nearby teeth may drift into the empty space, leading to bite problems, uneven tooth wear, difficulty chewing, and changes in facial appearance over time.
Can I replace multiple missing teeth?
Yes. Depending on your situation, multiple missing teeth can be replaced with implant-supported bridges, implant-supported dentures, or individual dental implants. Your prosthodontist will recommend the option that best fits your smile and lifestyle.
