Replacing Missing Teeth

There are two broad categories of options for replacing missing teeth: fixed and removable treatments. One fixed option includes a fixed partial denture, often referred to as a bridge, and a second option includes an implant-retained restoration.
Replacing Missing Teeth

Why do Adults Lose Their Natural Teeth?

As a child, losing your baby teeth was an exciting event that resulted in money. For adults, losing a tooth can be embarrassing and usually necessitates some sort of replacement tooth. Here are a few reasons adults lose teeth, along with several options to replace missing teeth.

Missing teeth can easily detract from someone’s features. This is especially true when the front teeth or a front tooth is missing, as these are the most obvious. A variety of factors can lead to an adult losing teeth. Here are a few reasons a natural tooth may fall out or need to be removed:

Replacement Options

When teeth fall out, replacing them is important to maintain healthy teeth and overall dental health. There are several tooth replacement options that have high success rates in restoring your teeth to a normal appearance.

There are two primary categories for replacing teeth: temporary and fixed treatments. Making a decision between fixed and temporary involves the number of missing teeth, your goal in replacing them, and your personal finances. Some of these options involve replacing a single tooth, while others are better suited for replacing multiple teeth.

Dentures

Dentures are plates or frames that hold a fake tooth or teeth that replace missing natural teeth. One of the main selling points of dentures is the ability to remove them at any time. Dentures are also the cheapest and least painful option when replacing missing teeth. However, not all dentures are the same. There are two primary types.

  1. Removable partial denture: A partial denture sits closely to your gums and is a smooth piece.
  2. Complete dentures: While partial dentures replace just one to a few teeth, complete dentures are for more extreme cases, where all the natural teeth on the upper or lower jaw need to be replaced.

Bridges

Dental bridges fill in the gaps where missing teeth should be and are connected to the remaining teeth. Bridges help support the overall health of your mouth even without your missing tooth or teeth. Attaching the bridges to two healthy teeth restores your ability to chew as well as smile with confidence.

You can choose between temporary and fixed bridges. Temporary bridges give you the freedom to remove them for cleaning and repositioning, while fixed bridges can last for over a decade.

Dental Implants

Of these options, dental implants are the most permanent and expensive solution, but also provide the best results. Dental implants involve a surgical procedure to form an artificial tooth root that connects to the bone.

Essentially, a dental implant is an artificial tooth with a metal post functioning as the tooth’s roots. Having the implant supported by the bone allows it to function to the same capacity as a fully healthy tooth. When you replace missing teeth with dental implants, you will forget that they are not your natural teeth.

Talk to a Dentist

If you are missing teeth, schedule an appointment to determine what the best option is for you. At EVDP, we will provide you with solutions to restore your smile and contribute to your long-term dental health by replacing your tooth or teeth.

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