Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

3 Options To Replace Your Missing Teeth

2 December 2015 by Charlotte Beck

Are you missing some teeth? Are you thinking about having them replaced? That could be a wise decision. When you are missing teeth, that puts more pressure on the other teeth to chew food, and that extra pressure can lead to further deterioration and additional tooth loss. There are also obviously aesthetic benefits to replacing your teeth. A replacement may help you feel more confident with your smile. The good news is that you have several options available for tooth replacement. Here are three of the most popular solutions:

Implants. An implant is an artificial tooth that is anchored into the bone inside your gums. A dental technician will create an artificial tooth that matches the shape and shade of your other teeth. Your dentist will then insert the implant directly into the bone. The procedure can sometimes be done in one appointment, but usually requires two. One session is to get the measurements and colors for the new tooth and the other appointment is to insert the tooth and the post.

Implants are popular because they look natural. They also don't affect surrounding teeth. However, implants can sometimes be the costliest solution and they may have a long recovery time. Your gums may be swollen and in pain for several days after the procedure. Also, if you have weak bones underneath your gums, then implants may not be an option for you.

Bridge. A bridge can be an effective solution, especially if you multiple teeth in a row that are missing. Like implants, the bridge is created in a lab after your dentist gets the measurements and shading of your teeth. The artificial teeth are attached to the bridge, which is then anchored on the teeth on either side of the gap. To do this, your dentist will likely need to file down those teeth so they can serve as anchors. 

A bridge can be a natural-looking option that may be less expensive than an implant. However, some people don't like them because they require the grinding of two additional teeth. Should the bridge somehow fail, you would then essentially have two more teeth that are damaged.

Partial dentures. This is often the most affordable route, especially if you're missing multiple teeth. Partial dentures are artificial teeth that are attached to a bracket that looks like your gums. You insert the dentures by putting the artificial gums over your real gums. Many people use an adhesive to hold the dentures in place. You usually have to take the dentures out on a daily basis to clean your gums and get the gum tissues some air exposure.

While dentures may be an affordable option, there are a few things to consider. First, you may not be able to eat every type of food because the dentures may not be as secure as implants or a bridge. Also, the dentures may not feel completely comfortable at all times. They can take some getting used to.

For more information, contact a dentist like Michael G Landy DDS. They can help you find the solution that's best for you.

Share

Search