5 OPTIONS FOR REPLACING A MISSING TOOTH
Keywords: replace missing teeth, missing tooth solutions, best option for missing teeth, loose dentures, best replacement for missing tooth, dental implant, implant crown, implant bridge, implant denture, implant tooth, implant-supported dentures, implant-retained dentures
A missing tooth can certainly change the appearance of your smile. Whether a missing tooth is as a result of gum disease, injury, trauma, severe tooth decay, or a genetic condition, a missing tooth can cause lead to several issues. Regardless of the underlying cause for missing teeth, it can negatively impact the alignment of your teeth over time and cause a number of problems down the road if it is not replaced. Even the loss of a single tooth can have a negative impact on your oral health, not to mention your confidence. A missing tooth or teeth can affect your speech, ability to chew your food, the integrity of your jawbone, and cause the slow shifting of your teeth into some of the empty spaces. If you are looking to replace a lost tooth or make adjustments to the overall appearance of your mouth, there are different treatments available.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MISSING TEETH
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The best possible option for your oral health and your general health would be to replace each tooth with a dental implant, as implants are the closest thing to restoring a natural tooth. The considerable cost associated with implants not withstanding, they are hands down the best and most long-lasting option available.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
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Dental implants are the single most common and reliable treatment for tooth replacement. Dental implants are the most natural-looking and comfortable type of tooth replacement, providing results that look and feel like a real tooth (replace missing teeth). Dental implants provide a permanent solution if you need to replace a single tooth, or multiple teeth in different areas. If taken care of, dental implants can last you a lifetime. The process of placing your dental implant can be somewhat lengthy. It begins with the replacement of your tooth’s root with a titanium screw, which is used as an anchor for the false tooth placed on top. Once the screw has been put into place, you need to allow the implant to integrate for a few months, during which time, the implant becomes securely fused to your jawbone. Once the implant has healed completely, a dental crown is placed on top and secured.
Benefits
- They are the most effective option to replace missing teeth, with treatment success rates in excess of 95%
- They are durable, reliable and permanent
- Minimal maintenance is required, other than good oral hygiene and professional dental exams and hygiene visits
- Feel natural and comfortable and provide the best aesthetics
- Only tooth loss solution that prevents jawbone loss
- Teeth adjacent to the gap do not need to be shaved down or modified
- Can be more cost effective in the long term, due to the long lifespan of treatment
- There is no involvement of your neighbouring teeth, so adjacent teeth remain intact
Disadvantages
- Your dentist won’t attach the replacement tooth until the dental implant completely heals, making the treatment waiting time longer and requiring a greater number of dental visits compared to other options
- Most expensive tooth replacement solution
IMPLANT-SUPPORTED BRIDGE
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An implant-supported bridge is an ideal solution for multiple missing teeth in the same area. The process of replacing each tooth with a dental implant can be very lengthy and unnecessary. With an implant-supported bridge, only the teeth at the two ends are secured in place with implants. The teeth in the middle of the two ends are held in place by “bridging” to the two terminal ends.
The implant-supported bridge looks very similar to a tooth-supported fixed bridge, except that it’s implants that the bridge is secured onto as opposed to teeth. These can either be cemented or screwed into place. The screw holes in the bridge are covered up with tooth-coloured composite resin so they are virtually invisible.
Benefits
- Provides very good aesthetic results
- Feels and looks very natural, making it easy to speak and to eat virtually anything
- Easy to look after and can be brushed and flossed just like an ordinary tooth-supported fixed bridge
- An economical choice for replacing several missing teeth in a row
- Should last for many years before it needs replacing, if ever!
- The bridge is equally as effective as having multiple, adjacent dental implants
- No need for your dentist to grind down healthy teeth
Disadvantages
- They can only be used under certain circumstances, when there are several missing teeth situated adjacent to each other
- Relatively expensive, particularly when used to restore a complete arch of teeth
- Requires a greater number of visits, and treatment takes longer to complete compared to a tooth-supported fixed bridge or a denture
- Implant treatment does require a small surgical procedure
There are many excellent options to remedy a missing tooth, whether the tooth was lost through injury, gum disease, or decay. Each option has its share of pros and cons, which a dental professional can help you weigh based on your specific needs and budget.
This is our first article in a two-part series. Follow our social media and blog news to read the second part.
In our next article following this series, we will cover situations when an implant is recommended, and what to expect from the procedure. See you at the next article!
Marchwood Dental Clinic specializes in dental implants crown and aesthetic treatments, focusing on the oral and dental health of patients in Kanata, Dunrobin, Carleton Place, Almonte, Carp and all of West Ottawa. We offer many treatment options and alternatives with cutting-edge technology to guarantee the quality of our service.
Contact us and schedule your appointment at Marchwood Dental Clinic serving Kanata, Dunrobin, Carleton Place, Almonte, Carp and all of West Ottawa today. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
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