People can wind up with missing teeth as a result of untreated gum disease, acute injury, severe tooth decay, or even certain genetic conditions. Regardless of why a person is missing teeth, it’s a good idea to start looking into alternatives as soon as possible after they fall out or a dental professional removes them.
Just like there are multiple ways people can wind up with missing teeth, there are also different methods for replacing them. Choosing the right one can be tough since it requires a careful evaluation of all the different methods and their pros and cons. Read on to find out about the best dental options for missing teeth and make a more informed decision.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are still a relatively new option for replacing missing teeth, but they’re already quite popular. Placing an implant involves a surgical procedure to place a titanium screw that will act as an anchor for the false tooth into the jawbone. Once the implant dentist places the titanium screw, it will fuse to the bone via a process known as osseointegration and will be ready to support a permanent crown within weeks to months.
People love dental implants because they look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Implants also preserve more of a patient’s jawbone, gum tissue, and bite structure than most options for tooth replacement. The only real barrier for most patients is the cost, which can range from $3,000 to $6,000 per tooth
Implant-Supported Bridges
People looking into treatment options for replacing several missing teeth are often put off by the high cost of replacing each tooth individually with a dental implant. Implant-supported bridges require placing only the two teeth at the ends of a row of missing teeth with dental implants, which support a bridge.
Implant-supported bridges offer an effective and comparatively cost-efficient option to patients who need to replace rows or entire arches of missing teeth. However, this specialized application makes these dental prostheses somewhat limited. Implant-supported bridges also offer a less permanent solution than replacing each tooth with an individual dental implant.
Tooth-Supported Bridges
Before the development of dental implants, tooth-supported bridges were considered the most effective way to replace multiple teeth. To install a tooth-supported bridge, a dentist will file down the two adjacent teeth, add abutments, and replace the natural teeth with crowns.
Tooth-supported bridges are more cost-effective than implants, and they don’t require undergoing surgery. However, there are a few downsides to opting for this solution. Tooth-supported bridges can damage the adjoining teeth and allow food particles to slip underneath, leaving patients facing a greater risk of gum infections and bone loss.
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures are arguably the most straightforward option for replacing multiple missing teeth. They’re great for people missing a few teeth, but not entire arches. Because there’s no need for surgery or complex dental procedures, getting fitted for removable partial dentures is the most economical means of replacing missing teeth.
Though plenty of people prefers removable partial dentures to more modern and advanced tooth replacement methods, it’s worth mentioning a few downsides. First, these dental prostheses can be uncomfortable and need frequent refitting. They’re also more difficult to care for since dentures must be removed and cleaned every night.
Find the Best Solution
Dental patients who are still on the fence about which tooth replacement option will best fit their lifestyles, and financial situations should schedule consultations with a local dentist. It’s often possible to finance dental implants, bridges, and dentures and spread the payments out over a longer period. Since ignoring missing teeth can lead to tooth migration, bone loss, and problems with chewing, speaking, and bite patterns, it’s best to address the problem ASAP, even if it means using a financing plan to pay for a new dental prosthesis.
