Missing teeth can be an embarrassment and bad for your oral health. Even one missing tooth can lead to problems and weaken the overall structure of your teeth. There are several options for replacing missing teeth, whether it’s just one, a few, or all of the teeth in your mouth.
People who are edentulous, which means having no teeth at all, usually opt for dentures to replace their teeth. Dentures are two separate arches, upper and lower, that are fit to the patient’s mouth and usually kept in place with special adhesive powders or creams. Upper dentures stay in place reasonably well without adhesive, due to suction, but most denture wearers prefer to use adhesive at least on their lower denture.
Implants are individual, permanent false teeth. A titanium post is surgically implanted in the jawbone, and then an artificial tooth is attached to the post above the gum. Not everyone is a candidate for implants. They are most likely to be successful in patients who have good overall health, don’t smoke, and have lost their teeth relatively recently. Implants can be used to replace one tooth, a few teeth or all of the patient’s teeth. Implants are the most costly tooth replacement option.
The All-on-4 procedure is similar to implants, but only four posts are implanted, and a special type of denture snaps on to these posts. The result is permanent dentures that never need to be removed. The All-on-4 procedure is costlier than regular dentures, but generally costs less than individual implants.
Crowns repair a tooth that is damaged but has enough of a healthy portion left to be saved. Getting crowns is sometimes called getting your teeth “capped.” The damaged tooth is prepared by removing any decay and reducing it to the proper size and shape to hold the crown. Then the artificial tooth material is placed and cured. The result is a fully restored tooth.
A bridge is a denture that replaces only a few teeth. Patients with missing teeth that are separated by healthy teeth can be fitted for a bridge that will fit precisely in their mouth. The artificial teeth are connected to each other with wires. A bridge may also be called a partial denture. You can inquire about bridges and other replacement options at Forest Lawn Dental Centre, or you can check the internet for other dentists near you.
With tooth replacement, you can regain confidence in your smile. These five options are the basic tooth replacement options, so consider their merits and whether or not they are right for you.