Ways to Replace Missing Teeth
Missing teeth affect the look and longevity of your facial structure and oral health. Failing to replace teeth leads to jawbone atrophy, causing the jaw to shrink and lips to purse. This gives people a prematurely aged appearance.
Additionally, Chewing and speaking become difficult and teeth alignment begins to shift to accommodate the missing teeth. However, with modern dentistry, the negative impact of missing teeth can be treated with custom restorations and innovative surgical techniques.
We offer a variety of options from traditional bridges and dentures to implant dentistry to restore a patient’s smile. Below are detailed descriptions of the benefits and drawbacks of each treatment:
Fixed Bridges
This option is perfect for patients who have between one to three missing teeth in a row. Fixed bridges are a traditional method of replacing teeth, having been fabricated from high-quality porcelain.
Effective for both front and anterior teeth, fixed bridges rely on neighboring teeth to support the fake tooth (pontic). This requires healthy teeth to be altered and capped with a crown to successfully replace the tooth. Poorly placed bridges can result in tiny shadows at the tops of the fake teeth, between the gum line and the tooth. This can be a drawback for patients looking for seamless results.
Dentures and Partials
Another traditional option for replacing teeth, we recommend these prosthetics to patients missing a full arch or part of an arch. Dentures are fabricated using a variety of materials and can be customizable to fit your comfort level.
The major drawback of this treatment is the lack of impact it has on jawbone density. As a result, dentures must be altered to fit the changing jaw shape. These prosthetics can also become loose over time and are prone to slipping out of place while speaking or eating.
Dental Implants
Implant dentistry is the leading solution to replacing teeth root to crown. Not only will these biocompatible titanium posts help in preventing further eroding of necessary jawbone volume but they can support a variety of restorations as well.
However, this option is expensive and requires some patients to undergo surgery for placement and bone grafting procedures. Consider speaking with our dentist to discuss how to customize your implant treatment with other dental procedures to fit your needs.
Schedule a visit with our dentists and staff today to learn more about how we can replace the missing teeth in your smile!