Can You Get Veneers With Missing Teeth
Dental veneers are a great way to improve your smile! This cosmetic procedure is often used for patients who do not like the natural shape of their teeth but since it is considered cosmetic, dental insurance does not usually cover any of the cost. A veneer is made of thin porcelain that is permanently cemented on top of an existing tooth. Veneers can fix a number of problems including chips, cracks, or discoloration but cannot be used to replace a missing tooth.
Is it important to replace missing teeth?
Sometimes, patients may be tempted to simply leave the space left by a missing tooth but when a tooth is not replaced, surrounding healthy teeth can begin to shift as they work to close the space which in turn leads to more gaps around other teeth. Tooth roots help regenerate bone structure so when a missing tooth is not replaced, the bone will begin to deteriorate and can lead to further tooth loss and changes in facial structure.
What options are available to replace missing teeth?
There are a number of options available to patients who need to replace a missing tooth. Treatment options include dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants. A bridge is a partial denture that is permanently fixed in place. Bridges use two crowns that hold fake teeth in place. The crowns are cemented onto neighboring healthy teeth and disguise the space with a fake tooth, or pontic, and can be used to replace one to two missing teeth in one area.
Patients looking for a more permanent solution may consider dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium post which has the ability to support an individual implant crown or even a full implant-supported denture. Dental implants also help support bone health since they are essentially an artificial tooth root and can help stimulate bone regeneration the same as a natural root. Implants are placed by either an oral surgeon or a periodontist and are placed directly into the jawbone. After your implant is healed and integrated with your bone, your dentist will take over treatment and fabricate an implant crown for you. The crown is then either cemented or screwed onto the implant.
An implant-supported denture is placed much the same way as an individual crown except the number of implants used to support a full arch of teeth will be in between four and eight instead of one. The overall time frame for dental implants may be up to six months, including healing. Even though implants are more expensive and take much longer to complete than other restorative options, they have the ability to last a lifetime whereas other restorations may need to be replaced every so often and do not support bone health. So though they are more expensive, their longevity may make it worth it for some patients.
Your dentist will be able to help you decide what type of restorative treatment will be best for you. It is important that you disclose your medical history and any medication that you are currently taking as well as your lifestyle so they are able to provide the best treatment possible. If you are missing teeth, it is important to discuss your options with your dentist and understand the entire treatment process. Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants but your dentist can help you determine which solution will be best for you and your lifestyle!