Best Option for Missing Teeth Replacement
Missing teeth is a common problem for adult patients and can cause the patient to feel self-conscious about their smile and may even lead to issues with eating and speaking. Any number of reasons can cause tooth loss but the most common cause is untreated tooth decay, leading to a hopeless tooth that must be extracted.
There are a number of options available to patients to replace missing teeth. While one option is simply doing nothing, it is not a healthy option. One missing tooth can lead to bone deterioration in the area which will eventually lead to the loss of additional teeth. Gaps can allow remaining teeth to shift as they try to close the space, leading to even more spaces and gapping throughout the mouth. Here are some of the better options for replacing missing teeth.
Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth
A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed directly into the jawbone. Dental implants have a success rate of between 95% and 97% for most patients. Dental implants are considered a permanent restoration and are much more comfortable and natural looking than other options. A dental implant can be used to replace an individual tooth, multiple teeth, or even a full arch.
Even though dental implants are more expensive initially, their long lifespan often allows patients the benefit of having one implant for the rest of their lives as opposed to a denture that may need to be replaced every 10 years or so. Dental implants are also considered one of the overall healthier options because the implant helps support bone structure and regeneration. Tooth roots stimulate bone growth and regeneration so when a tooth is lost, that area of the bone can begin to weaken.
Traditional Dentures and Dental Bridges to Replace Missing Teeth
Traditional dentures are a great way for some patients to replace missing teeth. A denture can come in the form of a full denture or a partial denture, depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced. Traditional dentures are removable for easy cleaning and maintenance and are often one of the most cost-effective options. A full denture replaces an entire arch of teeth on either the upper or lower arch, or in some cases, both. A partial denture replaces a few missing teeth in one area and can be placed on either arch. A dental bridge is a type of partial denture that is permanently cemented in place and cannot be removed by the patient.
Traditional denture can be very beneficial for patients who need a quick fix or those who cannot endure dental implant surgery. Dentures have a number of benefits but do have a few downfalls. For one, dentures are not nearly as natural looking as other replacement options. They can also allow the jawbone to deteriorate which then leads to an ill-fitting denture that can become uncomfortable and eventually need to be replaced. When the jawbone deteriorates, changes in the facial structure may become evident.
Implant-Supported Dentures to Replace Missing Teeth
While an implant crown replaces an individual tooth, an implant-supported denture is a great way to replace multiple teeth in one area. Missing multiple teeth does not mean that you need to have one implant placed for each tooth. One implant can support multiple implant crowns.
An implant-supported full denture, or all-on-four, is a beautiful way to restore an entire arch. Implant-supported dentures are incredibly natural looking and very comfortable for the patient. They cannot be removed by the patient because they are screwed into the implants so when you go in for your routine dental cleaning, your dentist will remove the denture and the hygienist will clean the implants and the denture.