5 Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth – According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience for many people but thanks to the advancement in dental health care, there are several solutions available once the tooth has been removed. If you are one of these people, do not despair. There are many replacement solutions, and we are providing you today with five options for replacing a missing tooth and achieving the perfect smile.
Option 1: Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most secure and also the most expensive replacement option. An implant entails surgery where the dentist would drill a hole in your jawbone. Next, he will put a metal insert and then screw the tooth replacement in this insert. With the help of dental implants, you can replace one tooth, a few teeth, or your entire upper or lower set of teeth.
A dental implant is not for everybody. It would help if you had healthy jawbones to qualify. If not, the insert is not going to hold up. If this is the case, you have to choose from the other options.
Option 2: Fixed Dental Bridge
A fixed bridge is a treatment that closes the gap between two teeth because of the missing one. A fixed bridge uses one or more crowns to anchor to the teeth on the sides of the gap. It can have different designs, depending on the number of teeth involved and the way they are joined.
Another name for a fixed bridge is “false tooth.” They can be made out of porcelain, gold, or metal alloys. It takes multiple trips to the dentist to complete the process because they have to create a mold. However, a fixed bridge is more affordable than dental implants, and you do not have to remove them.
Option 3: Dentures
Dentures are the cheapest and most common option to replace a missing tooth. Most dentures are removable and partial and are made from acrylic or ceramic. The denture has two main parts: the gum and the tooth. You have to wear it and take it off to clean it. It is typically recommended if you have a few missing teeth in different areas. Removable dentures lack stability and retention, hence, are usually not the preferred choice for most patients.
Option 4: Flippers
A flipper is a kind of temporary partial denture. Unlike the typical denture, this one does not depend on the surrounding teeth to work. Instead, you can flip it in and out of position if you want. It also does not use metal clasps.
A flipper is relatively more affordable. It is also painless, and it feels lighter. Dentists typically recommend this as a temporary solution while you are waiting for your implants. The caveat is that flippers are also prone to breaking.
Option 5: Resin Retained Bridge
A resin-retained bridge is like a denture. The typical component is porcelain, and the technician fuses the porcelain to metal for support. Like a denture, it has plastic gums, and the metal wings are the ones that get bonded to your existing teeth.
Some people call it the Maryland bonded bridge. If you hear that term, the dentist is referring to a resin bridge. The main difference is that this kind of tooth replacement is “glued” to your teeth.
Summary
There are many options to replace a missing tooth. For best results, consult a dentist and ask what the process entails. Ask for the differences, and then find out what the pros and cons are. Many people opt for the typical denture because they are easy to manage. However, they tend to fall off.
Ashley Stephan
Ashley Stephan runs the blog at VIGOR.icu where she writes about various health-related topics and shares tips on healthy living. Hobbies: swimming, gardening, and binge-watching popular TV shows.