admin
Sep 22, 2022
Missing a tooth is not a comfortable condition. It impacts your smile and the alignment of your teeth. You may not be able to chew and bite appropriately because of the absence of permanent teeth.
Also, a lost tooth can give a false impression about your oral hygiene. Not every tooth is lost due to decay. There are several other reasons for missing teeth, such as injury, accidents, hereditary issues, gum disease or recession, etc.
Replacing a missing tooth is vital to get back your smile, shape of the face and chewing ability because it can directly impact your mental and physical health. If the lost tooth is not replaced, the jawbone can be lost, and the adjacent teeth can start moving into the vacant space. So, here are the best options that can be utilised to replace missing teeth.
1. Dental Implant
Usually, a dental implant is the most preferred treatment for missing teeth because it lasts for a lifetime and requires no special care. It appears like a natural tooth and is not fixed to the adjacent healthy teeth. They only fill the vacant space.
It is the perfect solution for covering a single missing tooth. The surgical procedure requires removing the natural tooth roots and inserting a metal post into the gums. The post is shaped like a screw, and the artificial tooth is mounted on it to keep it securely positioned in its place.
It is a lengthy process that takes place in two phases. In the first stage, your professional dentist Hope Island will cut the gum and drill a hole to place the screw in the bone and allow it to heal for a few months.
During this period, the screw gets permanently fixed into the bone and ready for the implant. The dentist will then attach the artificial tooth to it. The treatment is expensive and requires anaesthesia because of the drilling and cutting involved.
2. Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is used to place false teeth in the vacant space with the help of a bridge. The porcelain or metal bridge is fixed to the healthy teeth on either side of the gap with dental cement.
So, the artificial teeth are not screwed in the jawbone, which involves invasive dental surgery and pain. The false tooth or teeth are placed between two crowns held together with a bridge. The two crowns are placed over the healthy teeth on both sides of the gap after filing them.
It is permanently attached to the teeth and fills the gap with a bridge that resembles natural teeth. The treatment is recommended for a single missing tooth and a row of lost teeth.
It is essential to brush and floss daily after a dental bridge treatment to avoid decaying of the teeth next to the bridge because of bacteria build-up.
Although permanent, it can get chipped or damaged after years of use and must be replaced. Thus, do not miss your regular dental check-ups to ensure the durability of the bridges.
3. Flipper Tooth
A flipper tooth is an acrylic removable partial denture that has prosthetic teeth. It can be removed and put back into the mouth like a retainer and has no clasps that get attached to the surrounding teeth.
Dentists prescribe this for a row of missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The partial denture is customised to fit into the jaw perfectly by taking an impression of the mouth.
These are cost-effective and appear like natural teeth. The treatment does not take too long to complete and gives you a perfect smile and bite. Since the material is not sturdy enough, flipper teeth can break after prolonged use. Thus, they are not as durable as other options, and some patients may find them uncomfortable to wear.
4. Removable Partial Dentures
Similar to flipper teeth, removable partial dentures can be taken out and inserted back into the mouth. However, the difference lies in the fact that it is held in position with the help of metal clasps attached to the adjacent teeth on either side of the gap.
They are cheaper than the rest of the treatments and can be quickly repaired in case of damage. The patient does not feel any pain, and it can be easily removed and put back into the mouth.
However, some people may not prefer the feeling of a denture in the mouth. Also, the metal clasps are visible, which can give away the fact that you are wearing artificial teeth. In addition, the denture needs to be cleaned daily to ensure optimum oral hygiene.
5. Implant-Supported Dentures
Also known as snap-in dentures, implant-supported dentures are meant for those who have lost all their natural teeth due to an accident or medical condition.
These cannot be removed like other dentures and are fixed to the jaw like implants. It requires inserting screws in the jaw and placing the denture over them.
These offer a snug fit in the mouth and do not make the wearer uncomfortable. They improve the chewing capacity and look like natural teeth. Also, they help to reduce bone loss. However, they are expensive and may require repair or replacement with time.
Conclusion
Replacing missing teeth with artificial ones is becoming common because of the wide range of treatments available. If you have lost a tooth, you should enquire about the most suitable option from your dentist in Hope Island. They will examine your jaw and suggest the best treatment for your condition.
