Within the past few decades, advances in dentistry have resulted in many options for replacing missing teeth. While all of these options help restore functionality and appearance to a person’s mouth, they also differ in several ways. Depending on a patient’s dental history and lifestyle, one replacement option may be better suited for them than the others.
Here are the four most common options for replacing missing teeth:
Although the field continues to advance, each of these options has its own strengths and weaknesses. Talking with your dentist is one of the best ways to learn about your available options for replacing missing teeth.
Dental implants are recommended for those who want to replace a tooth with a single, secure replacement that can last a lifetime. Dental implants consist of two components: a metal screw that is inserted into the gum or jawbone and an artificial tooth that is attached to the screw. Surgery is required to place the screw, and adequate jawbone density is required for screws inserted into the jawbone. Dental implants are more expensive to insert than other options for replacing missing teeth but can last for the rest of a patient’s life.
Bridges are recommended over dental implants for patients that are missing multiple teeth in a row. Instead of replacing each missing tooth with an implant, an implant-supported bridge uses two implants to restore a gap of missing teeth. The two implants are inserted on either side of the gap, and the bridge is attached between the implants to replace the missing teeth. While an implant-supported bridge is less secure than a dental implant, the procedure is less costly and invasive than replacing each missing tooth with an implant.
In a tooth-supported bridge, teeth are used instead of implants to secure the bridge. Crowns are attached to the abutment teeth or the teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge is then cemented to the crowns. A tooth-supported bridge is a great option for patients that do not have the required jawbone density to receive an implant or do not wish to undergo surgery.
Dentures can be used to replace up to a full set of a patient’s teeth. Dentures do not require surgery or a procedure to insert, making them the most affordable of the options for replacing missing teeth. However, dentures also must be removed daily from the patient’s mouth for cleaning and can lead to jawbone degradation.
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Consult your dentist for guidance in choosing the right tooth replacement. Your dentist will conduct an interview and a dental exam to determine which option suits you. Dental implants are the most secure option but require healthy gum and jawbone tissue. Implant-supported and tooth-supported bridges can replace multiple teeth at a time, and dentures are an affordable option for those who wish to avoid surgery.
Request an appointment or call River Falls Family Dental at 812-962-7342 for an appointment in our New Albany office.
Dentures are a well-known option for replacing missing teeth that are often given a bad reputation in their reliability. We have all watched the childhood film, where the elderly character has their dentures fall out of their mouth at the dinner table. While this exaggerated age-old misconception is based on legitimate concerns of denture wearing,…
There are several options for replacing missing teeth, and the treatment that is best for you will depend on factors like lifestyle, budget, and dental health. A professional dentist can help you determine what option is appropriate for you.Options for replacing missing teeth include:Tooth-supported or implant-supported bridgesPartial or complete denturesDental implantsThese options for replacing missing…
If you are missing several teeth or all of your upper or lower teeth or even all the teeth in your mouth, you may be wondering, “What are my options for replacing missing teeth?” Full or partial dentures may be a good option for you. In this article, we’ll discuss what makes a good candidate…
Dental implants are one of the most common ways to replace missing teeth in general dentistry nowadays. These are screws or rods (typically made out of titanium) that can serve as artificial teeth roots. Oral restorations like crowns are fitted to implants to replace missing teeth. Implants are constructed to last a lifetime, but the…
Dentures are a well-known option for replacing missing teeth that are often given a bad reputation in their reliability. We have all watched the childhood film, where the elderly character has their dentures fall out of their mouth at the dinner table. While this exaggerated age-old misconception is based on legitimate concerns of denture wearing,…