A dental practice offers a wide array of tooth replacement options. Restoring your smile protects your oral health and can be a boost to your confidence and appearance. What options will best address your smile? Do you need dentures or a dental implant?
Tooth Replacement Options
- Dental Bridges: If you have lost a single tooth, or up to three teeth in a row, a dentist may prescribe a dental bridge. Designed to literally bridge this gap, the prosthetic is made from artificial teeth with dental crowns attached to each end. The dentist prepares the natural teeth on each side of the gap and places the crown on them to secure the new teeth. You can enjoy between 10 and 15 years of replacement until the prosthetic needs adjustment or possible replacement.
- Partials: If you have lost a significant number of teeth but don’t yet qualify for a full set of dentures then you may need partials. Like dentures, these have an acrylic base that looks like gum tissue and replacement teeth. However, they are held in place with metal clasps that attach to the remaining teeth.
- Full Dentures: These replace all of the teeth on upper, lower, or both arches. Using natural suction or possibly an adhesive, they are held in place and make eating and speaking easier. They will need to be adjusted about every five to ten years as the shape of your mouth changes.
- Dental Implants: Unlike the others we have described, these replace both parts of the tooth, the root and the crown. The implant is surgically inserted into the tooth and accepted by the body as a natural root. Adding a crown to the implant post and giving patients a lifelike replacement tooth, we then complete the new tooth.