Does Missing Tooth Replacement Work?

A lost tooth can significantly alter the appearance of your smile. A missing tooth can create various issues, depending on whether it is the consequence of gum disease, accident, serious dental decay, or a hereditary disorder. Regardless of how a tooth is lost, it can have a detrimental influence on the alignment of your teeth over time and create a variety of difficulties if it is not replaced. Here are several choices for missing tooth replacement, the benefits and drawbacks of each, and pricing information.

The worth of your teeth is sometimes not recognized until they are lost, and teeth, regrettably, do not live forever. Even a single tooth loss can negatively influence your dental health and self-esteem. A missing tooth or teeth can also impair your speech, ability to chew food, the integrity of your jawbone, and cause your teeth to move into some of the empty spots slowly. Fortunately, there are a variety of good solutions for replacing your missing tooth or teeth and restoring your attractive smile.

So Let’s discuss first, the choices of dental implants available for you. Keep on reading! 

1. Implants for the teeth

Dental implants are one of the most often used tooth replacement procedures. Dental implants are a dependable form of tooth replacement that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Dental implants are a permanent option if you need to replace a single tooth or missing tooth replacement in various regions. 

Dental implants last longer if properly taken care of. The procedure for installing your dental implant might be time-consuming. It starts by replacing your tooth’s root with metal screws, which anchor the fake teeth put on top. 

Once the screws have been placed into place, you will need to allow the implant to heal for a few months, during which time the implant becomes securely bonded to your jawbone. After the implant has healed completely, a dental crown will be set on top.

Advantages of Dental Implants:

• They are one of the most efficient methods of missing tooth replacement 
• They have a natural appearance and feel to them 
• Because your neighboring teeth are not involved, they stay unharmed 
• They are a permanent, lifetime replacement that does not require frequent check-ups 

Dental implants have the following disadvantages:

• They are among the most costly tooth replacement choices, ranging from minimum to maximum
• The implant is screwed into the jawbone, which necessitates extensive surgical procedures, a lengthy recovery period, and the risk of infection

2. Bridge supported by implants

A bridge supported by implants is an excellent treatment for multiple lost teeth in a row. Reaching each tooth with a dental implant can be time-consuming and inefficient. It is to be noted that the teeth at the two ends of an implant get support as the bridge. The teeth in the center of the two ends are maintained in place without screws.

Advantages of Implant-Supported Bridges

• A low-cost option for missing tooth replacement in a row 
• The bridge works just as well as a dental implant 
• They have a natural appearance 

Cons of Implant-Supported Bridges

• Can only utilize them in limited situations, such as when there are numerous missing teeth in a row
• Implant-supported bridges are not a permanent solution and must replace 
• The installation of an implant-supported bridge necessitates many visits to the dentist

3. Tooth-Anchored Bridges

Rather than inserting two implants into your teeth, a tooth-supported bridge uses your existing teeth to support the implantation of a bridge. A crown is glued onto the teeth next to the lost ones. The operation is carried out across several appointments.

Advantages of Tooth-Supported Bridges

• A tooth-supported bridge has the same realistic appearance and feels like a dental implant
• Because no surgery is necessary, the procedure is less intrusive
• Compared to dental implants, a tooth-supported bridge is a more cost-effective solution 

The Drawbacks of Tooth-Supported Bridges

• The surrounding teeth getting crowns will need to be filed to the necessary size to fit, which raises the risk of infection in the future 
• If the bridge is not properly placed, it may destroy the adjacent teeth over time 
• Food particles can go below the bridge and make cleaning more difficult, so if you aren’t diligent with your cleaning, you run the danger of infection and bone loss

4. Removable Partial Dentures

Removable partial dentures, like dental implants, are a less complicated way to missing tooth replacement. Compared to a full set of dentures for all of your teeth, removable partial dentures are recommended for those with a few missing teeth. Removable partial dentures are clasped into place, ensuring that the fake teeth are retained in the proper places.

Advantages of Removable Partial Dentures

• If any teeth are lost in the future, more teeth can be inserted straight into the partial denture, saving you time and money 
• Removable partial dentures are one of the most affordable missing tooth replacement 
• If necessary, partial dentures are simple to repair and replace 
• The use of partial dentures is straightforward, requiring simply the installation of metal clasps 

The Drawbacks of Removable Partial Dentures

• Partial dentures may be a source of discomfort
• Dentures must be removed and cleaned regularly and must also remove before sleeping 
• Because the metal clasps on partial dentures are visible, they do not blend in or seem as natural as dental implants

 

 

5. Flipper

A flipper is a temporary partial denture that may be flipped in and out of place. A flipper does not rely on neighboring teeth and has no metal clasps.

Advantages of a Flipper

• Replacing a lost tooth is a reasonably inexpensive and painless procedure 
• Compared to a partial denture, a flipper is a significantly lighter choice
• Provides a temporary missing tooth replacement until a more permanent one can be found 

The Drawbacks of a Flipper

• The flipper might be uncomfortably tight 
• Because a flipper is intended to be a temporary solution, its bulky shape increases the likelihood of it breaking

Conclusion

There are several good choices for replacing a missing tooth, whether lost due to trauma, gum disease, or decay. Each option has advantages and disadvantages that a dental expert may help you consider based on your unique needs and budget positive Dental team of highly skilled and experienced specialists can assist you in determining the best option for your lost teeth. At our clinic, we are dedicated to assisting you and your family in maintaining good dental health for the rest of your lives. Call and Book an Appointment at Positive Dental now if you are missing tooth replacement or teeth and want to learn more about your treatment options.