Having a missing tooth can ruin the appearance of a person’s smile, especially if the missing tooth is one of their front teeth. It can also affect their ability to speak properly or chew food without pain. Thanks to technological advances, having a missing tooth is not the end of the world because there are plenty of options available to replace the teeth.
Some of the treatment options dentists use to replace a missing tooth include:
Partial dentures are designed to replace one or more missing teeth in the same arch even if they are not adjacent to each other. They are usually considered the best option for people who do not have very healthy gums or bones that are dense enough for dental implants. Partial dentures may also be a good option for those lacking natural teeth that are strong enough to hold a fixed bridge in place.
The dentures consist of a gum-colored acrylic base which can be strengthened with a cobalt chrome metal framework. Some partial dentures also have metal clasps that fit over the patient’s existing teeth, holding them in place but also allowing them to be removed with ease.
Like the partial dentures, tooth-supported fixed bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. The procedure involves filing off the portion of the healthy teeth, adjacent to the gap created by the missing tooth, then placing dental crowns. These crowns are attached to the replacement teeth and hold the artificial tooth in place. Once the crowns have been placed on top of the natural teeth, they are cemented in place.
Tooth-supported fixed bridges are a good option for those who want to quickly replace a missing tooth without having to undergo dental implant surgery, especially if they have medical conditions that can slow down the healing process, which increases the risk of implant failure. Unlike dental implants, which can take months to complete, treatment for dental bridges is completed in a few weeks.
These have become the most popular way to replace one or more missing teeth because they are the closest to having natural teeth. However, the treatment requires surgery, which is something some people try to avoid.
A titanium post is fused to the patient's jaw and the artificial tooth is screwed on top of it, replacing the missing tooth. Unlike dentures and bridges, which are placed on the top of the gums, the titanium posts act as tooth roots and stimulate bone growth, allowing the patient to preserve their facial structure. Of the three treatment options, dental implants are the most expensive, but also the most durable.
A missing tooth does not have to ruin the appearance of your teeth because there are various treatment options available to replace the tooth. If you have a missing tooth and do not like the way your smile looks, schedule an appointment with a dentist to go over your treatment options.
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