Tooth loss can impact many aspects of your life. It can change your appearance, what types of foods you eat, and eventually affect your jawbone density. Luckily, there are a few tooth replacement options available.
Dentures
There are three different types of dentures: partial, full, or implant-supported. A partial set replaces one or several teeth; a full set covers the entire arch. Either type of denture can be fixed or removable. Fixed sets are permanently attached to your jawbone with adhesive material. Removable sets come with clasps to hold them in place while you eat.
Partial dentures are great if you’re missing just a few teeth and you don’t want to deal with extensive surgery. They’re easy to clean and maintain.
Full dentures are designed to cover the entire arch. They also provide better stability. Because they require extensive work, it’s best to wait until you’ve lost some teeth before considering full dentures.
Implant-supported dentures use four small screws to anchor them into your gums. These sets look and feel very similar to natural teeth. Like full dentures, they require extensive work and are best suited for patients with healthy jaws.
Implants
An implant is a metal post placed inside your mouth to replace a missing tooth root. Once it heals, you’ll receive a permanent replacement tooth attached to it. Implants require a surgical procedure. They’re usually used to treat severe gum disease that prevents us from placing traditional fillings in our teeth. If you do not have enough bone left in your jaw, your dentist might recommend placing an implant.
We surgically implant a post inside your jaw, which replaces part of the root of your missing or damaged tooth. A crown is placed over the post to cover it. An implant-supported bridge connects to two implants, so it’s a good option for restoring multiple teeth in a row, especially if one tooth needs to be replaced.
As mentioned earlier, there are several types of implant-supported dentures, including fixed bridges and removable partial dentures. Fixed bridges are permanently attached to both implants and don’t move around during chewing. Removable partial dentures attach to either two implants or two abutments, which are small posts that fit into holes drilled into the implants.
The main difference between implants and dentures is that implants look better and feel more comfortable than dentures. However, implants are more expensive than dentures.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a great option if you’ve lost one or more teeth. A bridge connects either a permanent or temporary replacement tooth to your existing teeth. Your dentist can help determine whether a bridge is a good fit for your needs. If you decide to go ahead with the treatment, you’ll receive several impressions of your mouth. To prepare for this process, it helps to avoid brushing near the area being treated. Brushing too close could damage the impression material.
Once the impressions are ready, your dentist will make a model of your mouth. This 3D replica provides vital information about your bite and allows us to design a custom restoration. Once we know what we’re working with, we’ll place your temporary bridge over your teeth. You’ll wear this while the final prosthesis is crafted. Once complete, your dentist will install the permanent bridge into position.
