Surprisingly, an average individual in the United States between the ages of 35 to 49 loses up to seven teeth. As a result, it is highly possible that you or somebody you know has missing teeth or will lose teeth in the coming years and must choose how to replace them.
The ideal choice for your oral health and overall wellbeing is to restore every missing tooth with a dental implant, which is the closest substitute to a natural tooth.
However, if you have to postpone implant procedures until a later date, there are less expensive and non-surgical options for replacing lost teeth.
The following are the best options to replace missing teeth:
1) Dental Implant
Implants are prosthetic tooth roots placed into the jaw to anchor a restoration, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dental implants may be the right approach for those who have lost several teeth due to an accident, periodontitis, or some other oral health issue.
Benefits-
- Procedure success rates exceed 95%.
- These are long-lasting and robust.
- Apart from excellent oral hygiene and thorough dental exams and cleanings, there is little aftercare necessary.
- Implants feel natural and easy and provide the finest appearance.
- Only teeth replacement solution which eliminates the loss of jawbone.
- Teeth surrounding the gaps do not require alteration.
- Can be easily flossed, just like a natural tooth. Other options, such as bridges, require special tools to floss effectively.
- Because of the treatment’s prolonged longevity, it would be relatively cost-effective in the long run.
When to Choose Dental Implants
This is the best option if you are suitable for treatment and can afford
dental implants. Treatment is a long-term solution for tooth loss, and it provides the best aesthetic results.
Additionally, an implant preserves the jawbone and the gum tissue, and there is no need for your dentist to grind down healthy teeth.
2. Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge
When using an implant-supported fixed bridge, it is not necessary to restore every missing tooth with a separate implant surface. Alternatively, an implant-supported fixed bridge can recover many lost teeth, and it is feasible to replace a whole archway of teeth with this approach.
Benefits-
- Produces excellent aesthetic results.
- It looks and feels incredibly real, making it effortless to talk and eat just about everything.
- Simple to maintain and maybe cleaned and flossed like any other tooth-supported fixed bridge.
- Compared to restoring every single tooth with a separate dental implant, the cost is cheaper.
- It lasts for several years without frequent replacement.
- It does not require your dentist in Chandler to file down your natural teeth.
When Should You Use an Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge?
This method is perfect for anyone who wants to have sturdy teeth that are not detachable. However, pricier than All-on-Four implant-supported dentures, this option enables you to forget you ever had tooth loss. Once you get used to it, your new teeth become powerful enough to let you eat almost any food item you choose.
3. Tooth-Supported Fixed Bridge
When a single tooth is lost, the most frequent alternative to implant-supported treatments is a tooth-supported permanent bridge. It comprises two crowns that are typically placed onto the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth, known as the abutments. The dentist will connect the abutment crowns to the pontics, which are the prosthetic replacement teeth.
Benefits-
- Both feeling and performance are just like your natural teeth.
- The procedure is simple, and the treatment usually takes only 2 – 3 weeks to finish.
- A fixed bridge is simple to maintain since it can be cleaned and flossed.
- It is a cheaper technique to restore lost teeth than implant-supported dentures.
- Treatment is typically risk-free; if the bridge collapses, dentists can usually change it promptly and painlessly.
When Should You Use a tooth-supported Fixed Bridge?
This approach may be ideal for anyone seeking a quick solution to missing teeth or who does not prefer to undergo a surgical procedure. Some patients are not a good candidate for implant placement, particularly when they have a health issue that has weakened their immune response, which can prolong recovery and increase the chances of implant failure.
5) Removable Partial Denture
Your
dentist in Chandler may put removable partial dentures in place to restore one or more missing teeth in a similar arch. They occasionally reinforce the acrylic core of the dentures with a Cobalt chrome supporting structure.
Benefits-
- Fixed bridges or implants are more costly.
- Very good for closing gaps across arches and preserving your smile.
- Replacing missing teeth can enable you to speak more clearly and chew efficiently.
- It is feasible to add extra teeth to a denture.
- The procedure is non-invasive and takes only a few minutes.
When Should You Use Removable Partial Dentures?
If dental implants are not affordable or your natural teeth are not powerful enough to hold a permanent bridge, you may benefit from removable partial dentures.
6) Removable Complete Dentures
Removable complete dentures stick to the gums and are a less expensive and less intrusive substitute to dental implant surgery. Dentures are made out of a gum-colored resin framework to which prosthetic teeth are bonded.
Benefits-
- By substituting worn down or decaying teeth, it is possible to enhance the look of your smile and boost self-confidence.
- Provides necessary support to the tissues in the cheeks and lips, preserving face contours and giving you a more youthful look.
- Can improve speaking and chewing ability.
- Treatment is reasonably priced and fairly quickly.
- They appear natural because dentures come in various forms, colors, and dimensions, and the prosthesis may perfectly resemble your actual gums.
- Can be relined or modified to fit a shifting jawbone.
When Should You Use Removable Complete Dentures?
They might be an excellent low-cost alternative for restoring a whole arch of teeth. Dentures are also beneficial for anyone who does not want to have a dental implant surgery or when they are not eligible for surgical treatment.
Though it is not often feasible (monetarily or logistically) to replace lost teeth immediately, you should always choose a durable solution.
