A missing tooth can certainly change the way you smile. It can also negatively impact tooth alignment, affect your speech and your ability to chew food, and may even cause you to lose confidence. Fortunately, there are many options available to help you restore that beautiful smile.
At White Dental Studio, we offer three options for tooth replacement. These are dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures and partials. Here’s what each is for:
1. Dental implants
Dental implants are one of the most common types of tooth replacement. The permanent implants are designed to look and feel like the real thing. The implants work by having titanium screws inserted into the jawbone where they serve as the roots of the missing tooth. The screws are then used as an anchor for the false tooth to be placed on top.
Advantages:
- Feels natural and comfortable like real teeth
- Does not involve the adjacent teeth
- Very durable and has a long lifespan
- Success rate is placed in the upper 90%
Disadvantages:
- Most expensive tooth replacement option
- Requires invasive surgical procedure and longer healing time
Is it for you?
Although implants are costly, they provide the best solution for tooth loss. They’re a suitable treatment for you if you need something that’s permanent and preserves the jawbone and gum tissue.
2. Dental bridges
If dental implants are out of the question, dental bridges can accomplish the task of replacing a missing tooth and restoring adjacent broken teeth. With this type of procedure, existing teeth on both sides of a missing tooth are used to support the placement of a bridge by crowning. A single prosthetic, resembling three healthy teeth, is cemented to the newly crowned teeth.
Advantages:
- Has the same realistic look as real teeth
- No surgery required, and the treatment is fairly straightforward
- More economical option than dental implants
Disadvantages:
- Healthy teeth adjacent to the missing tooth must be ground down for the crown to fit
- Does not last as long as an implant and will need to be replaced in the future
- The ground down teeth are at risk for possible infection and decay in the future
- Bridges can be a food trap and more difficult to maintain
Is it for you?
This tooth replacement procedure is for you if expense is an issue, you don’t want to go through surgery, or you have a medical condition that may increase the risk of implant failure.
3. Dentures and Partials
Partial dentures are designed to replace one or more missing teeth which may or may not be adjacent to one another. The partial denture utilizes existing teeth, or implants, as anchor points and are made with either a metal frame or a flexible resin base.
Removable complete dentures consist of an acrylic base that is made to fit over gums over which denture teeth are attached.
Advantages:
- Can be less expensive than bridges or implants
- Can help improve speech and ability to eat comfortably
- Non-invasive and quick
- Can look very natural as each case is custom made to either the patients preferences, or to mimic the look of their own teeth in the case of a full denture – even gum color can be matched. Partials are made to match the surrounding natural dentition, and to blend in as seamlessly as possible.
Disadvantages:
- Dentures and partials can be unstable and uncomfortable
- Very hard or sticky food can be difficult to eat as they might damage the denture
- Can rub on the gums
- Need to be removed and thoroughly cleaned everyday
Is it for you?
Partials may be suitable for you if implants or bridges are out of the budget, or you don’t have strong enough natural teeth that can support a bridge.
Complete dentures are a low-cost solution for replacing complete arches of teeth or if you are not a suitable candidate for implants.
At White Dental Studio, we’ll provide you with the best dental care possible.
We’ll help you find the perfect tooth replacement solution that works for you. Book an appointment with us, and we’ll walk you through all options available. Call 541-708-6288 today!
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