Three Options For Missing Tooth Replacement

7 December 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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There are three main ways that your cosmetic dentist can treat a tooth gap: removable appliances, bridges, and dental implants. Each option has its plusses and minuses. Here is what you need to know about these common treatments for missing teeth.

Option 1: Removable Appliance

Removable appliances are one of the most economic ways to replace a missing tooth. These can come in a variety of styles and materials. For instance, your dentist might give you a device that is essentially a plastic implant with a false tooth attached. Another option is a partial denture, which is a removable device with teeth that are shaped to fit your tooth gap. While these options are affordable, they can be a bit more cumbersome than other replacement methods. 

Option 2: Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is one of the most intuitive treatments for a missing tooth. That is, the replacement tooth is integrated naturally into the tooth line so that it feels and looks like one of your natural teeth. During a dental bridge procedure, crowns are made for the two teeth that surround the gap of your missing tooth. In between these, your dentist will place a false tooth implant that is held in place by the two crowns on the surrounding teeth. While this treatment allows your implant to be very stable in place, it does require you to get crowns placed over two healthy teeth— this can be avoided in other types of missing tooth replacements. 

Option 3: Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most comprehensive method for tooth replacement. In this method, a tooth is screwed into your jawbone so that it fits seamlessly into your mouth. One benefit of this replacement is that the titanium base of the implant is designed to fuse with your jawbone over time, allowing it to become a very stable part of your mouth. The dental implant method does take a bit more time, since your dentist will place the base and the crown over the course of several appointments. This type of tooth replacement is also often the most expensive, since it involves more manual labor. 

Each of these three options can be a great long-term replacement for a missing tooth. These cosmetic treatments will not only help improve your smile, but they can also prevent your other teeth from shifting out of place to cover the gap of the missing tooth. For additional information about dental implants, contact a practice such as the All Denture Dental Clinic