Missing teeth lead to several complications, like having difficulty speaking and eating. In addition to functional detriments, missing teeth also create imperfections in the smile. Here are three proven ways to replace missing teeth.
- Bridges can replace a single tooth up to a short row of teeth using a prosthetic set crafted between two crowns. This method utilizes adjacent healthy teeth to secure the prosthetic in place. Adjacent teeth require alteration in order to allow the crowns to anchor themselves into the smile and the bridge to remain stable.
Full and Partial Dentures are the classic, proven way to replace missing teeth using prosthetics that rest over the gums or in between existing healthy teeth. This method involves generating a prosthetic set of false teeth which sometimes uses acrylic to mimic the appearance of natural gums and teeth. Dentures have been used for hundreds of years, and have greatly improved in their esthetic appearance.
Dental Implants are the latest advancement in dentistry that has closed the gap between prosthetic teeth and the support of a natural tooth. This procedure works with other restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures, to generate a stable set of permanent teeth. Dental implant posts are placed into the space where the tooth’s root once occupied in order to mimic the function of a complete natural tooth.
Why Should I Replace My Missing Tooth?
When a tooth goes missing, it causes the body to close the space where the tooth once occupied. This also causes the jaw bone to slowly deteriorate and existing teeth to shift into misplacement. If a patient is otherwise edentulous, the jaw bone deteriorates at a rapid rate, showing signs of premature aging as a result of facial collapse.
Replacing the missing tooth using a prosthetic tooth prevents shifting by supplying the necessary support for existing teeth. Furthermore, dental implants replace the root of the tooth, preventing accelerated jaw bone deterioration.
Learn More
To find out more about replacements for missing teeth, call or visit Berkeley Family Dentistry. Schedule a consultation with our dentist. We’ll be happy to help you determine the right restoration for your smile.