If you’re suffering from the damaging effects of a missing tooth, you need to know that you have several options for replacement. Click to read and learn which is best for you.
Your Replacement Options for a Missing Tooth
If you have a missing tooth, you’re likely suffering from a whole host of problems — from difficulty eating and speaking to embarrassment when you smile or laugh. There’s no doubt about it: it’s time to replace your missing tooth. The options can seem overwhelming, but there is one that’s perfect for you. Read on to see what you can do to get back to smiling — and eating, laughing, chewing, speaking and everything else — confidently again.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are small titanium posts that are placed into your gums to act as a replacement for a missing tooth root. Once your jawbone has healed around the posts, your replacement tooth — or teeth — are ready to go on top of the implant. The result is natural-looking teeth that match the rest of your smile. With dental implants, you’re able to chew, eat, speak and continue living your life just the way you want.
Dental implants are a good option for patients with one or more missing teeth. They’re a very stable solution that feel just like your real teeth — but their placement does require surgery, which means you should be in good overall health to have the procedure.
Fixed Bridges
Fixed bridges are a less costly solution than dental implants that still look, feel and function like your regular teeth. They fill the space left by one or more missing teeth by attaching to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. A bridge is made up of the “pontic,” the part that replaces your actual tooth, and the “crown,” which covers the existing teeth.
Fixed bridges are usually placed in more than one visit to the dentist. In your first appointment, your dentist examines your teeth and makes an impression of the space and surrounding teeth to prepare the replacement teeth. The impression is sent to a laboratory, where your bridge is made out of metal, ceramics, glass-ceramics or a combination of materials. Once your bridge is ready, it’s fitted, adjusted and cemented into place in your mouth in one or more follow-up visits.
Fixed bridges are a good option to replace missing teeth. Although they’re cheaper than dental implants, they also affect the other, healthy teeth surrounding your gap — which you may not always want.
Removable Partial Dentures
Your most economical option in replacing one or more missing teeth is usually with removable partial dentures. They may be a bit more uncomfortable, however, and some people find removable devices embarrassing. But depending on your unique needs and preferences, removable partial dentures still may be the best option for you.
Removable partial dentures are easily removed for cleaning. They’re made of the replacement teeth, which look and feel like natural teeth and are attached to a base that matches the color of your gums. It may take a bit of time getting used to the feeling of removable dentures in your mouth, but you should be eating, speaking and smiling like normal within a few weeks. As you age, however, your mouth changes — and that means your removable dentures may need to be replaced to fit your mouth perfectly.
Contact Our Office Today
If you have a missing tooth, you should know about your options for replacement. We’ll help you choose the best one for you and your lifestyle — and then provide you with the excellent dental care you need to get your smile back to normal. Don’t hesitate to request your appointment with Dr. Chilcoat today — your smile is worth it!