Replacing Missing Teeth

There are several inexpensive options for replacing missing teeth that provide full functionality and a natural appearance. Gum disease, tooth decay, injury, or a genetic condition can all be behind a missing tooth. Regardless of the underlying cause for missing teeth, if you’re looking to replace a lost tooth or make adjustments to the overall appearance of your mouth, there are different treatments available. The best way to determine the cost of a potential payment plan is to visit our dental office.

Here’s a look at a few options to replace missing teeth, as well as the pros and cons of each option and cost information.

Dental implants:

Dental implants are an option when you need to replace a single tooth or when you’re missing several teeth in different areas of your mouth. This treatment involves surgically mounting a titanium metal post or frame into your upper or lower jaw. A replacement tooth is then mounted to the implant, which allows the tooth to remain in place. A dental implant provides a permanent base for a replacement tooth.

Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular due to their appearance and durability. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that provides patients with a new root and tooth. Over the course of a few months, the body will deposit bone around the implant to complete the process of osseointegration.

Implants are made from titanium, a biocompatible material used in many kinds of prosthetics, such as artificial joints. Once the implant is securely placed in the jaw and fully healed, a prosthetic tooth is attached. Implants could be your best option if you miss one or more of your teeth due to periodontal disease, injury, or other dental health issues.

Considerations for Dental Implants:

Essential points a patient should be aware of before having implants include:

  • Placement of dental implants is a minor surgical procedure that requires a thorough medical history.
  • Minor modification to your activity level may be required 24 hours to 48 hours following surgery. Any strenuous physical activity, like going to the gym, should be avoided for the next two days.
  • A dental implant on its own is not a replacement option but a supporting structure for an implant crown, implant bridge, or implant denture.

Advantages of dental implants:

  • 95% treatment success rate.
  • Permanent and durable.
  • Feel more comfortable and natural than other options.
  • Provide an appealing aesthetic.
  • Require minimal maintenance other than professional cleanings, dental checkups, and good oral hygiene.
  • Best tooth-replacement option to prevent jawbone loss.
  • Long life span, making them the most cost-effective in the long term.
  • Don’t require any modification of the adjacent teeth.
  • Can be done in one day, in some cases, through an immediate implant placement procedure.
  • Replacement tooth resembles a natural tooth and can last for decades
  • Nearby teeth aren’t involved, so the rest of your teeth should remain intact.

Disadvantages of dental implants:

This is a surgical procedure, so you’ll need to be in good physical health for surgery and recovery. Plus, the healing process can take several months. Your dentist won’t attach the replacement tooth until the dental implant completely heals. Also, dental implants tend to be more expensive than other replacement options for a missing tooth.

If you don’t want a dental implant, see if you’re a candidate for a fixed dental bridge. This tooth replacement option might be effective if you’re missing one or more teeth in the same area. A fixed bridge essentially bridges a gap caused by a missing tooth using a dental prosthetic or artificial tooth. The prosthetic is attached to adjacent teeth and then bonded in place using dental cement.

Dental bridge:

A dental bridge is a popular non-surgical procedure. We can replace one or several teeth using a bridge. In this procedure, the remaining teeth act as anchors to support the new ones. Dental crowns surround the supporting teeth, and we attach a bridge to them. We then secure the new replacement teeth to this gum-colored bridge. The result is a natural-looking smile that is permanent and secure. While not as durable as dental implants, it provides a similar level of security and natural appearance.

Advantages of dental bridges:

Bridges are beneficial because they feel and look like natural teeth. You might find they improve the appearance of your natural teeth on either side of the space. They’re also typically cheaper than dental implants.

Disadvantages of dental bridges:

It can be challenging to clean around the tooth underneath the bridge. Bridges involve altering existing teeth. Also, a poorly fitted bridge could gradually damage adjoining teeth over time. In addition, plaque and bacteria could seep underneath the bridge, causing tooth decay or an infection.

Dentures:

The most affordable tooth replacement solution is dentures. This is because they take the least amount of time to create. There is no surgery and no dental crowns to place. Instead, an impression is taken of the mouth along with measurements. Once a natural-looking set of dentures is ready, they will be sent back to the dentist, and a patient will come in for a fitting. Dentures can be used to replace a full mouth of teeth or to replace a tooth. It depends on the needs of the patient.

Removable partial dentures:

Your dentist may suggest complete dentures if you need to replace all of your teeth. But if you only need to replace some of your teeth, you might be a candidate for a removable partial denture. This dental appliance consists of replacement teeth attached to a natural-looking pink base.

Although some dentures have a clasp that adjoins natural teeth, your natural teeth stabilize and hold the removable plastic base in place. The base is designed to match the color of your gums and the color of your natural teeth. These dentures might be an option if you need to replace multiple teeth in one part of your mouth.

Advantages of a Partial Denture:

  • Don’t cost as much as implants or fixed bridges.
  • Restore your smile since they fill in the gaps between your teeth.
  • Procedure is relatively quick and non-invasive.
  • Depending on the missing teeth’ position and the amount of healthy bone, partial dentures may help improve your ability to eat and speak.
  • The dentist might be able to add additional teeth, depending on the type of denture you choose. Please clarify this with your dentist before committing to the treatment. For example, teeth cannot be added to a flexible partial denture.

Disadvantages of a Partial Denture:

  • Don’t always function well or look as natural as fixed options.
  • Require multiple adjustments by the dentist until they fit comfortably.
  • Might be slightly obtrusive.
  • Use of adhesive creams may be required to ensure better fit.
  • Need to be relined or replaced more often.
  • Need to be removed each day for cleaning and leaving them out during the night for the gums to recover.
  • Easy to misplace or lose a partial denture.
  • Can break if dropped.
  • Sense of taste can be lost slightly due to a covered palate.

Implant-supported dentures:

Patients who are interested in dentures but want more security should consider implant-supported dentures. With this procedure, a set of dentures is created but held using strategically positioned dental implants. Mostly all adults have all their permanent teeth. As people age, the chance of missing at least one tooth increases. Two-thirds of adults between the ages of 40 and 64 are missing at least one tooth.

Types of Implant Dentures:

Two types of implant dentures are available:

  • Implant- and abutment-supported removable denture.
  • Implant- and abutment- supported fixed denture, also known as a hybrid fixed denture.

1. Implant-Supported Removable Denture:

As with traditional dentures, you have to remove implant-supported removable dentures before going to bed. You also need to clean your gums and dentures daily.

Two types are available:

  • Ball-retained
  • Bar-retained

In either case, our dentist creates your denture out of an acrylic base, which looks like your gums. The dentist then attaches natural-looking acrylic or porcelain teeth to the base. Both of these will need support from a minimum of two implants.

Other types of implant-supported removable dentures include:

  • All-on-four, meaning that four dental implants support your complete denture
  • All-on-eight dentures

2. Implant-Supported Fixed Denture:

Unlike removable implant dentures, fixed implant dentures are permanently attached to the implants and can remain in the mouth at all times. Maintaining oral health remains critical to ensure the longevity of the implants. Using a water flosser and specially designed floss helps patients achieve the best oral hygiene possible with implant-supported fixed dentures.

Some names for implant-supported fixed dentures include:

  • Permanent dentures
  • Fixed dentures
  • Hybrid dentures

What’s the impact of missing teeth?

In some cases, there may be a little-to-no impact. Depending on the location of a missing tooth, you may not notice a gap in your mouth. This might be the case if you’re missing a tooth in the back or side of your mouth. But your teeth are designed to work together, so missing one or more teeth can sometimes impact speech, eating, and over time cause other problems.

If it becomes harder or uncomfortable to chew your food, it may lead to only eating on one side of your mouth or having to eat at a much slower pace. This can affect your jaw and facial muscles. Missing teeth can change the shape of your face, as it can cause your mouth to shift.

Also, your bite might change to make up or compensate for lost teeth, and the remaining teeth may shift and move given the extra room. This can cause other issues such as tooth sensitivity, tooth grinding, and difficulty chewing.

Whether you’re missing teeth because of tooth decay, gum disease, or an injury, talk to a dentist about options for replacing a missing tooth. The cost will vary depending on the replacement option, the number of teeth you need to replace. These treatment options are effective, and in most cases, a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture will last for years or even decades with regular brushing and care.

Various unique options treat a missing tooth, whether the tooth is lost through injury, gum disease, or decay. Each option has its share of pros and cons, which a dental professional can help you weigh based on your specific needs and budget. At Oberoi Dental Clinic, our team of highly trained and dedicated professionals can help guide you towards the best solution for your missing teeth. We are committed to helping you and your family maintain excellent oral health for life. If you are missing a tooth or teeth and would like more information about your treatment options, contact us at 09872197339 or e-mail us at drraman34d@gmail.com