Replacing missing teeth

Missing teeth can leave an unsightly gap in your smile, leading to embarrassment or even a lack of self-confidence. While missing teeth don’t necessarily need to be replaced in all instances, as existing teeth and bone can shift around to minimize the empty space created by a missing tooth, what often begins as a cosmetic issue can eventually lead to bigger problems such as bone loss and tooth decay. Luckily, there are a number of ways that your dentist can replace a missing tooth and restore your smile.

1. Dentures

Removable dentures are one solution to a missing tooth or teeth. There are two different options here, including a temporary denture, also referred to as a “flipper” (due to the ease with which the wearer can “flip” it in and out of place in the mouth), and a removable partial denture. A removable partial denture is a more long-term solution than a temporary denture, which is used for a short time before a bridge or implant is able to be installed. In some cases, a removable partial denture (which can replace multiple missing teeth, if necessary) must be held in place by clasps, which may be visible. Removable dentures are also made to be worn during the day only; they should be removed and soaked in a cleaning solution at night while the wearer sleeps. For these reasons, some patients who wish to replace a missing tooth or teeth opt for other replacement solutions, such as a bridge or implants, in spite of the low cost of dentures.

2. Bridges

When the missing tooth or teeth are surrounded by existing teeth, you and your dentist may decide that a bridge is the right option for you. A bridge, unlike a removable or temporary denture, is a permanent replacement solution that is cemented in place. For many, the permanence of this solution is attractive enough to compensate the disadvantages, which include the more invasive nature of having a bridge installed and the potentially increased risk of dislodgement or infection. To install the bridge, your dentist will have to cut into or file down the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, which introduces damage to teeth that were previously healthy. In some cases, however, a bridge can also solve two problems at once: if the teeth next to the missing tooth or teeth already require repair, such as a filling or a crown, this work can be done at the same time in conjunction with the bridge. One other drawback of a bridge is the potential for dislodging; because a bridge is not as flexible as the tissues that surround it, it can pop out of place over time, particularly in the lower jaw which is moves around much more than the top. This can allow the introduction of bacteria to the inside of the tooth that can lead to infection and eventual decay. For these reasons, dental implants might be the preferred solution for the permanent replacement of missing teeth.

3. Implants

Without a doubt, dental implants are the most durable, reliable, and natural feeling replacements for a missing tooth. With dental implants there are no visible clips or clasps, no need for removal at any time, and no danger of natural flexing and movement of the jaw dislodging the implant. While the installation of a dental implant is somewhat more time intensive, as the implant must heal in place where the root of the missing tooth once was, it is also less disruptive to surrounding teeth, as they do not need to be filed or cut to accommodate a bridge. Once the implant is healed and the crown is attached to connected abutment (i.e. the connecting element between the implant and the crown), no one would ever know that you once had a gap where that tooth was, and you’ll never feel the difference.

If you have a missing tooth or teeth that you’d like to replace, contact your dentist today to talk about which of these options might work best for you!

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