Did you know that more than 36 million Americans are missing all their teeth and another 120 million are missing at least one? From illness and accidents to lack of dental care, there are many reasons for dental disasters. It’s disheartening to learn that your teeth need more than just a filling, but there are options for even the worst of smiles. If your teeth are beyond repair, consider one of these four procedures to restore your pearly whites.

Many people are afraid of the discomfort and unrealistic look that sometimes accompanies dentures, but today’s dentures are not your grandma’s false teeth. Many advancements have been made in denture technology, and you can now get a set that looks realistic, feels comfortable and functions well. Skip the same-day economy dentures and go for custom-made or implant-stabilized dentures instead.

Still have some of your natural teeth and aren’t ready to part with them yet? Consider using partials to replace your missing chompers. A partial is similar to a denture but replaces one, two or several teeth instead of your entire set. Extractions are not required to use partials, and some types can be anchored to your natural teeth for added stability.

If you want to replace your missing or damaged teeth, dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth. Implants look, feel and function just like real teeth once they’re properly installed. The downside is that implants require oral surgery to place and patients must have enough healthy gum and bone tissue to hold the implant. Although replacing your teeth with implants can be a painful and lengthy process, they often last a lifetime with proper care.

For patients whose teeth can still be saved, a crown may be the best restoration option. Although crowns are expensive, they allow you to retain the root of your natural tooth. This helps keep your jaw stable and prevents problems like TMJ or a sunken facial appearance. Crowns are also less expensive than implants or dentures in the long run, so think twice before opting to get a tooth pulled instead of a crown.

While there are many great options to fix missing, broken or badly damaged teeth, the cost can often be prohibitive. However, you’re not resigned to a life of soups and smoothies if you can’t pay the bill. Dental schools, charities, government assistance programs and payment plans can help you get your smile back in shape.