A missing tooth can certainly change the appearance of your smile. Regardless of the way a tooth is lost, it can negatively impact the alignment of your teeth over time and cause a number of problems down the road if it isn’t replaced. Sometimes the value of your teeth isn’t realized until they are lost, and unfortunately, teeth do not last forever. Even the loss of a single tooth can have a negative impact on your oral health and confidence. A missing tooth or teeth can also affect your speech, ability to chew your food, the integrity of your jawbone, and cause the slow shifting of your teeth into some of the empty spaces.
Luckily, there are a number of excellent options available to replace your missing tooth or teeth to help restore your beautiful smile, including:
Removable partial dentures
Compared to a complete set of dentures, removable partial dentures are suggested for individuals with a few missing teeth. Removable partial dentures are clasped into their correct place, which ensures that the false teeth are held in the appropriate spots.
Advantages
Additional teeth can be added directly to the partial denture if any teeth are lost in the future, which can help you save time and money. Removable partial dentures are one of the cheapest options for tooth replacement. Partial dentures are easy to repair and replace if needed.
Disadvantages
Partial dentures can be uncomfortable. The dentures must be removed and cleaned on a daily basis and removed before sleeping. Partial dentures do not blend in or appear as natural as dental implants because the metal clasps are visible.
Tooth-supported bridge
A tooth-supported bridge uses your existing teeth to support the placement of a bridge. A crown is placed on the teeth, which are next to the missing ones and cemented into place. The procedure is completed over a few visits.
Advantages
A tooth-supported bridge looks and feels realistic without the need for any invasive procedures. It is also a more economical option compared to dental implants.
Disadvantages
The adjacent teeth receiving the crowns will need to be filed to the appropriate size for the crown to fit which increases chances of infection down the road. Food particles can slip underneath the bridge and become harder to clean, so if you aren’t careful with your cleaning, there is a greater risk of infection and bone loss.
Dental implants
Dental implants are now one of the most common methods of tooth replacement. Dental implants are a very reliable type of tooth replacement that both looks and feels like a real tooth.
Advantages
Dental implants provide a permanent solution if you need to replace a single tooth, or multiple teeth, in different areas. There is no involvement of your neighbouring teeth, so adjacent teeth remain intact. If taken care of, dental implants can last you for at least 10 years.
Disadvantages
The process of placing your dental implant can be somewhat lengthy. It begins with the replacement of your tooth’s root with metal screws, which will be used as an anchor for the false tooth placed on top. Once the screws have been put into place, you will need to allow the dental implant to heal for a few months, during which time, the dental implant becomes securely fused to your jawbone. Once the dental implant has healed completely, a dental crown will be placed on top and secured.
The dental implant is screwed into the jawbone, which requires invasive surgical procedures, a significant healing time, and the possibility for infection. Dental implants are one of the most expensive tooth replacement options initially but can be the most cost effective over their lifespan.
Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre’s comprehensive dental services can help to replace your missing teeth. Call today on 01622 682 029 and book a consultation.
