Losing teeth to an accident or decay not just results in difficulty in biting, chewing or speaking, it can also impact your overall dental health in many ways like risk of accelerated tooth decay due to food getting stuck in gaps, gum diseases, etc. Moreover, the resultant distorting of yourdenture may add years to your appearance and spoil your look. With so much at stake, it is indeed a happy fact that there are ways to replace missing teeth.Let’s take a look at them:
1. Dental Implants:
Implants can be used for replacement of single tooth as well as multiple teeth or even for a full denture. They act as a framework or anchor for replacement teeth which are also known as crowns. Implants are made up of materials like titanium that are accepted by the human body and do not harm it while crowns are made of durable materials like porcelain and acrylic resins.
Advantages of Implants are:
- Similar in appearance to natural teeth.
- No impact on adjacent teeth.
- Durable, may last for years.
- Prevent shrinkage of jaw bone.
Disadvantages of Implants are:
- Require surgery and as such, may not be suitable for all.
- Usually takes more time and number of visits compared with other procedures.
- More expensive than other procedures.
- Healing takes time.
2. Fixed Bridges:
Fixed bridges can be used for replacing missing teeth provided the adjacent teeth are strong enough to support them. The dentist first needs to prepare the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth by reducing their size and making room for the bridge. The next step is to take impression of the denture and send it to a dental lab for preparing the bridge. Once this bridge, made of ceramics, glass ceramics or metal, is ready, the dentist attachesit to the adjacent teeth.
Advantages of Bridges:
- Give the appearance of natural teeth and even function like them.
- Do not need to be taken out for cleaning.
- A less expensive option than implants.
Disadvantages of Bridges:
- More expensive than removable dentures.
- Permanent preparation of adjacent teeth.
- Preparation of teeth may sometimes cause trauma to their nerves.
3. Partial Removable Dentures:
These are dentures or replacement teeth that are removable and need to be taken out for cleaning. These are attached to a plastic base that resembles the color of your gums. They usually have a kind of clasp that attaches to the natural teeth and gives the replacement teeth support.
Advantages of Partial Dentures:
- Least expensive option.
- Easier to repair if chipped or broken.
Disadvantages of Partial Dentures:
- Less stable.
- Requires getting used to.
- Require to be cleaned by taking, may cause embarrassment to some.
Whatever option one chooses, there is no denying the fact that missing teeth need to be replaced as a delay or neglect can lead to bone loss, which can further create problems when you finally do go for replacement. Not replacing missing teeth may also cause the other teeth in the area to drift or lean towards the vacant space or, if lower teeth are missing, the teeth right above them may drift down. Visiting a dentist such as Salt Lake City tooth replacement Dental Clinic and finding out the best option for your missing teeth can save you from a lot of other resulting dental problems.