Losing one or more of your natural teeth is definitely a bad situation to be in. It may not look like a big issue to some, but its impact is too much to ignore.
Your everyday activity, like eating and talking, is affected. Your smile loses its glow, and facial aesthetics become dull. To top it all, the condition of missing teeth comes with a variety of dental and general health risks.
Clearly, people should not delay consulting the dentist when they have missing teeth.
Else, the problems, both physical and psychological, can debilitate life and take quality away. And when dental technology has advanced to such an extent, you could expect the replacement option in a single day.
Based on the severity of the problem, your dentist can recommend one of several treatment options for your missing teeth.
In this blog post, you will find out the 7 best options to consider when you have missing tooth. Do well to consider them and consult with your dentist before making a decision.
7 Options To Consider When You Have Missing Tooth
Below are some of the best options to consider when you have a missing tooth.
1. Do Nothing
If you’re not too bothered with the look and feel of your smile, you can definitely benefit from the ‘do nothing’ option when you have a missing tooth.
Many people take this route after consulting the dentist as they know over time, other teeth might shift a bit and close the gaps thus caused.
The teeth, either adjacent or opposite, may shift gradually and minimize the harm in the process.
However, this option can have issues in the long run as the patient may lose the ability to stress the jaw bone at the site of missing teeth.
This may lead to a higher risk of losing bone density at the site. Down the line, there may also be a problem with chewing if nothing is done to replace the missing teeth.
2. Traditional Bridgework
Bridgework has long been the most preferred option for replacing the missing tooth and getting back to their original ways all over again.
Not doing anything might aggravate the problem further as teeth shift and can disturb the contour of your mouth in a big way.
With a bridge, you get a custom device anchored to nearby teeth for doing the replacement work.
With bridgework, crowns will serve as abutments to hold the replacement tooth in place. The teeth on either side of the missing teeth will help as crowns for giving ample support to the prosthetic.
After that, the dentist will bond the bridge to the adjacent tooth so that the replacement teeth get attached to its nearby teeth without giving any trouble.
3. Implants
In recent times, dental implants have emerged as the most popular option to replace a missing tooth.
They ensure a natural look and feel; are durable; need little care, and, above all, deliver as much convenience in maintaining dental health.
Implants look and feel like your original teeth, so they are always in high demand for replacement purposes.
With implants, the dentist will insert a titanium post into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. If the body accepts the post, then the dentist will go on and put a crown on the post.
This technique, however, is not suitable for one and all as dentists generally check the health and oral history before getting a replacement with implants.
4. Removable Partial Denture
Replacing your missing teeth with a removable partial denture is a less costly option than implants or fixed bridges. More so, they are an excellent choice for filling in the gaps created between teeth.
They are also very effective at restoring the ability to smile and maintain facial or dental charms. It can also help your ability to eat and speak to bring quality back to life.
Further, a removable partial denture is done through a procedure that is quick and non-invasive.
However, in some cases, the denture can be uncomfortable and may not deliver results comparable to natural teeth. With them, there will always be a risk of them being easily broken.
They are, however, perfect if you don’t want to go for implants which are apparently a costly option to replace the missing teeth.
5. Removable Complete Dentures
Removable complete dentures are also a perfect option for people with missing teeth. They are used a lot to replace teeth that are decayed or worn out with age or use.
Such dentures boost the appearance and offer you a more youthful appearance along the way. They are not costly and can look natural to help you restore the charms lost due to the missing teeth.
However, removable partial dentures can pose a problem with fitting as the jawbone changes shape over time. Plus, the denture will always be a risk when you eat hard foodstuff.
You can consult the dentist, discuss options for and get quality dental care.
6. Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge
This option is beneficial for restoring several missing teeth or a complete arc of teeth at one go. In this option, the implants are either screwed or cemented into place so that the restoration looks natural.
This option makes it possible to get good aesthetic results as it will look and feel very natural. More importantly, there will be no problem with eating and speaking with an implant-supported fixed bridge.
You can maintain them, brush them and floss them with no visible problem. And yes, it can last up to many years, which makes it a good investment.
7. Tooth-Supported Fixed Bridge
This option fits you if you don’t want to go with implant-supported restorations. It will be permanently cemented into place and, per the requirement, can be made from either porcelain, metal alloys, or a combination of materials.
A fixed bridge will feel and work like your natural teeth, and even the procedure is simple, with three weeks to complete.
You can brush and floss the fixed bridge, so maintenance is easy. This option is more cost-effective and straightforward than those implant restorations.
You can go for it and maintain the charms of your smile and appearance.
