If you have missing teeth, it can be devastating. It can make smiling a challenge and limit your dietary choices.
Because of these things, you may be considering options to replace missing teeth. Or, maybe you already have dentures but are thinking about a more stable or permanent solution.
At Osler Dental Professionals in Towson, MD, we can help you choose the best option to fit your goals and budget. Your dentist can explain the possibilities in detail and answer any questions you may have.
Let’s look at four ways to replace missing teeth.
#1 Dental Implants
Dental implants are probably the most popular option out there and most recommended by dentists.
Dental implants are tooth root replacements surgically placed in your jawbone. Over several months, these new roots integrate into the bone, creating a solid foundation for a replacement tooth, commonly called a dental crown.
There are many benefits to dental implants aside from aesthetics. Benefits include:
- Stability—Dental implants do not move or shift, requiring no adhesives over time.
- Longevity—With excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your dental implants can last for decades or even a lifetime.
- Oral health—Dental implants promote better oral health because they help guard against jawbone loss and tooth migration.
- Natural look and function—Dental implants look and function like natural teeth.
- Maintenance-free—Dental implants require the same upkeep as natural teeth.
#2 Dental Bridge
A dental bridge closes the gap in your smile. And—like dental implants—a dental bridge is a fixed restoration.
The bridge is one or two teeth situated between dental crowns. The crowns cap the healthy teeth to the left and right of your smile gap, allowing the restoration teeth to fill in the space.
However, a dental bridge requires a few added steps for proper maintenance, unlike dental implants.
Your Towson, MD dentist recommends a small cleaning brush and floss threader to keep bacteria and debris from the gumline. A member of our team can talk to you about these items and show you how to use them.
#3 Dentures and Partials
Dentures and partials are a practical solution to tooth loss, and today’s modern dentures look natural compared to those offered during previous decades.
A complete denture is an arch or palate of replacement teeth. This prosthetic relies on suction, jawbone ridges, gravity, and saliva for support.
A partial denture is also an arch or palate with replacement teeth. However, the replacement teeth are placed only in the areas that allow them to fill in for natural tooth loss.
Dentures and partials are always customized in fit and shading to look natural in the mouth.
However, there are drawbacks to dentures compared with other options. For example, dentures fit loosely over time and require adhesives and relines at some point. And because they are removable, they may rock or slip in the mouth as the jawbone deteriorates, a natural side effect of tooth loss.
#4 Dental Implant-Supported Prosthetics
If you choose dentures, your dentist may recommend implant-supported dentures for best results. Implant-supported dentures rely on four to six implants for stability. With this option, you can enjoy the benefits of dental implants and the practicality of dentures.
You can also ask your dentist about an implant-retained bridge for one to two teeth missing in the same area.
How to Replace Missing Teeth
If you’re considering tooth replacement, the first step is a comprehensive consultation in our dental office. At this visit, your dentist provides an exam, possibly x-rays, and talks to you about our tooth replacement options and how they can benefit your tooth loss.
Considerations for tooth replacement include jawbone integrity and gum health.
When you choose the option that works best for you, we schedule your tooth replacement. For dental implants, this means a gentle dental implant surgery. For a dental bridge, we prepare the teeth to the left and right of your smile gap for dental crown placement, which supports your restoring tooth or teeth.
Taking Care of Your New Smile
Your dentist provides all aftercare instructions. However, all tooth replacement options require excellent oral health and regular dental visits for longevity. Even if you have a full-mouth replacement like complete dentures, you’ll want to continue visiting the dentist twice yearly.
At your dental checkups, your dentist checks the integrity of your prosthetic and provides a periodontal evaluation. Gum health contributes to the stability of your restorations and prosthetics.
It’s also important to talk to your dentist if you experience oral health changes between dental visits, including mouth sores or a loose crown.
Quality Tooth Replacement Options in Towson, MD
Smile restoration rebuilds confidence but also contributes to improved oral health. If you would like to schedule a tooth replacement consultation or have any questions for our team, we encourage you to give us a call today.
We look forward to helping you restore your smile!