For one reason or another, sometimes it is necessary to replace a single or several missing teeth. There are many reasons that someone may need to do this. Sometimes a patient will experience trauma to a tooth due to a fall or an accident. Over time, a tooth may discolor, get an infection, become loose, or possibly need to be taken out right away. Just because you are missing a tooth though, doesn’t mean that you cannot do something about it. In fact, you actually have several options based off of what you are looking for, your budget, or any other factor you may think of.
There is something called the “Good, Better, Best” way of thinking. So if you are missing a single tooth or several teeth, there will be a good way, a better way, and a best way of handling the situation. Let’s take a look at the “Good, Better, Best” way of handling a missing tooth.
The good way of handling missing teeth would be a partial or a complete denture. This will fill in the spaces, making sure that the teeth around the missing one(s) will not shift. This leaves the door open to other options down the line so if you decide that a denture is not your permanent solution, you will not have to worry about moving teeth when you are ready to move towards the next step. Dentures are not made like they used to be. Most dentures no longer need metal clasps and they are much more comfortable than they used to be. In addition, dentures are now more lightweight and natural looking. The downside to having a denture is that most people do not like having a removable appliance. A denture requires a good deal of care and attention, plus there is always the possibility of it getting lost. Dentures are the most inexpensive way to replace missing teeth, but keep in mind that most dentures last about seven to ten years, and then you will need to purchase a new one.
The better way of replacing missing teeth is a bridge. A bridge is essentially two crowned teeth connected to a fake space filler tooth (called a pontic). Bridges are not removable, so patients like that it’s not something they need to worry about losing or falling out. Most bridges last anywhere from 10-15 years as long as you are going for your standard cleanings and the bridge is maintained correctly. The downside to a bridge is that if you are missing a single tooth, and the teeth beside that missing space are healthy, those teeth still must be reshaped and fitted for crowns. Cost wise, a bridge is more expensive than having a denture fitted, but it should last longer than a denture, as well as look more natural with the rest of the teeth.
Finally, the best option. When it comes to replacing missing teeth, the best option by far is doing an implant. An implant is a fixed prosthetic that rests in the gums, and is implanted into the bone in your jaw. You can read a lot more detailed information about implants by following this link or you can watch a video on implants here.
Most patients tend to go for dental implants because their chance of failing is slim to none, they can last a lifetime, and only one tooth is affected by the procedure, and that is the one that you are replacing. This means that all the teeth around the space remain untouched, while the implant that is being done can be contoured to match the surrounding teeth once it is time for a crown, or final restoration. Implants are the most expensive way to replace a missing teeth, but there are plenty of payment plans available to fit a patient’s budget.
If you are missing a single tooth or several teeth, the most imporant thing you need to realize is that you have options. Many patients feel confused or overwhelmed when going to see a dentist because they do not realize or know which is the best option for them. At Advanced Dentistry of Collegeville, we work with patients to figure out which is the best option for them cosmetically, functionally and financially. If you are interested in booking a free consultation to find out what exactly your options are, give us a a call at 610.489.5555 to set up an appointment, or shoot us an email by clicking here. We look forward to seeing you soon!
