Restoring Missing Teeth with Contemporary Family Dentistry of Blanchard

Restoring Missing Teeth

Tooth loss is a common dental issue that occurs due to trauma, severe decay and damage, severe infection, or destruction of large portions of the tooth and its supporting bone structure. It’s important to replace missing teeth for a variety of reasons, such as appearance, function, and prevention of teeth shifting. There are many different options for replacing missing teeth; these include implants, bridges and removable dentures. I’d like to briefly go over each of these options.

Implants

A dental implant is a small, artificial tooth root made of titanium that’s placed into the jawbone. It’s designed to fuse with the bone over time, providing similar stability and support as the roots of natural teeth. Implants are generally considered the best option for replacing missing teeth, particularly when only a single tooth is missing. They’re a durable and long-lasting solution for missing teeth that are easy to clean similar to natural teeth.

Bridges

Dental bridges are another great fixed (non-removable) prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth. They’re typically made of full gold, porcelain fused to metal (PFM) or all-ceramic, and are anchored in place via your natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. Bridges don’t take as long as dental implants to replace a missing tooth but they tend to be more difficult to clean and may require drilling on a tooth that would otherwise not need dental work.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are a removable dental prosthetic option for individuals who have missing teeth in an arch but still have healthy natural teeth. These dentures are composed of a framework that attaches to existing natural teeth for retention and prosthetic teeth attached to the framework. This tends to be the most cost effective way to restore multiple teeth at the same time but does have the disadvantage of being removable.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures are a removable option to replace a full set of teeth. They’re custom-made to match your unique oral anatomy, can help improve oral function and restore the appearance of a natural smile. A common complaint among people who dislike full dentures is that they tend to shift or slip, leading to discomfort, particularly with lower dentures. And, the use of denture adhesive is often ineffective in keeping the dentures in place. In some cases, dentures that use dental implants for added support can be made. They provide a more secure and stable fit than traditional complete dentures and can improve oral function and your overall quality of life.

Each of the above options has its own unique set of strengths and disadvantages. Although some options may be suited better for one individual over others, there is no one size fits all solution. At the end of the day, I want everyone to have a healthy smile they can be proud of. If you are missing teeth, I highly encourage you to talk with your dentist about replacement options and find the right solutions for you.