Tooth Replacement
Laurence Palmer DDS
Tooth Replacement
Here are five common options for replacing missing teeth:
1. Dental implants
A dental implant is a surgical component, generally made of titanium, that integrates with the bone of the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthesis or to act as an orthodontic anchor. During this procedure, our dentist inserts dental implants into your jawbone, replacing a natural tooth root, which will eventually act as a support for replacement with a dental bridge, crown, or denture.
Implants are a good option if you are missing one or more of your teeth due to periodontal disease, injury, or other dental health issues.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- They have a 95 percent treatment success rate.
- They are permanent and long-lasting.
- They appear natural and provide an appealing aesthetic.
- They require minimal maintenance.
- They are the best tooth-replacement option to prevent jawbone loss.
- They are the most cost-effective in the long-term.
- They do not require any alteration of the neighboring teeth.
2. Implant crown and bridges
Both implant crowns and implant bridges are implant-supported restorations used to replace missing teeth. An implant crown is the best option that replace a missing tooth regardless if it is a back tooth or a front.
An implant-supported bridge is an excellent choice to replace several missing teeth — anywhere from three to 12. If you have no teeth, the dentist will perform a full mouth reconstruction with implant-supported dentures or dental implant bridges.
Benefits of Implant crowns and bridges
- No need to grind any of your healthy teeth to create a new bridge.
- Function like natural teeth.
- Provide aesthetically pleasing results.
- They look and feel natural, making speaking and smiling easy.
- They are easy to maintain.
- They are long-lasting.
3. Implant-supported dentures
Advantages of implant-supported dentures
It helps to prevent bone tissue deterioration since the implants stimulate the patient’s gums. ● It feels and looks natural. ● There is no adjustment period required with these prosthetics. ● This type of dentures require no extra maintenance than real teeth. ● The patient can enjoy his/her favorite foods.
4. Partial dentures
Benefits of a Partial Denture
They are not as expensive as implants or fixed bridges. ● They restore your smile as they fill in the gaps between your teeth. ● This is a quick and non-invasive procedure. ● They help improve your ability to eat and speak.
5. Complete dentures
Benefits of complete dentures
They improve your appearance by replacing a missing tooth, thus improving your self-confidence. ● They provide sufficient lip and cheek muscle support, restore facial dimensions, and create a younger appearance. ● Complete dentures may help make eating more comfortable and improve your speech. They are a fast and affordable treatment option to replace missing teeth. ● As they come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, they look natural and can match your natural gums closely. ● The dentist can adjust them to accommodate the changing shape of your jawbone.
