You may not fully appreciate the value of your teeth until you lose one or more. Even losing a single tooth can affect your confidence and oral health. It can impact your ability to speak, chew comfortably, and maintain the integrity of your jawbone while also causing gradual shifting of your remaining teeth. Fortunately, several excellent options are available to restore your smile and replace your missing tooth or teeth.

Dental Implants

Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, providing a reliable and durable solution for replacing missing teeth. They offer a long-term option for replacing one or several teeth, even in different mouth areas. However, getting implants can take time, as it involves several steps to ensure optimal results.

The first step in the dental implant process involves replacing the tooth’s root with a metal screw, which acts as a secure anchor for the artificial tooth. After the screw is inserted, a healing period of several months is required to allow the implant to integrate with your jawbone, ensuring a strong and stable foundation for the final tooth placement. Then, your Meridian dentist will affix a dental crown to the implant after fully healing.

Dental Bridges

For this option, the dentist gently reduces the teeth on either side of the gap to make room for a new crown, also known as a “cap.” They then suspend and attach a new tooth to these new crowns. This forms a dental bridge consisting of three parts. It includes the false tooth suspended in the middle and the new crowns on either side.

A tooth-supported dental bridge looks and functions like natural teeth. It doesn’t have to be removed for cleaning and is less expensive than a dental implant.

Resin-Retained Bridges

This one attaches to the adjoining teeth on each side. It is frequently far less intrusive than the aforementioned permanent bridge. This type of tooth replacement can be a good substitute for losing front teeth because they usually don’t withstand as much pressure.

On the other hand, a fixed bridge is excellent for teeth used for chewing. Resin-retained bridges are known to be weaker than tooth-supported bridges. However, they are also typically far less costly.

Removable Partial Dentures

These are recommended for people with a few lost teeth. Although they are excellent for chewing and look good, they are weaker than a bridge or implant.

Removable partial dentures can also cause discomfort if worn for an extended period. However, if damage does occur, they are easily repairable. They are usually the least expensive replacement option available.

Removable Complete Dentures

This option replaces most, if not all, of the lost teeth. Depending on how many teeth you currently have, it can be somewhat intrusive and necessitate several dental visits. A removable complete denture is aesthetically appealing and functional. However, it can be uncomfortable, and you should not wear it all day.

The Takeaway

If you have a missing tooth, a comprehensive dental consultation is advisable. This is to determine your ideal replacement options and address the problem.