Fix Missing Teeth

Losing a tooth is never fun.  It generally occurs unexpectedly, can be painful, may affect speech or functionality, and can be unsightly.  Luckily, there are several options for replacing a lost tooth which we will discuss in this article.

Removable Partial Denture

Patients that are concerned or embarrassed by missing front teeth and are seeking an economical solution for replacement, may opt for a removable partial denture (or full denture if replacing all missing teeth).  This type of denture, which is worn throughout the day, can be used to replace one or more lost teeth and does not require any teeth to be filed down prior to placement.  At night, it is recommended to remove the dentures and soak them in cleaning solutions.  Some partial dentures require metal clasps to hold them in the mouth and unfortunately, the claps may be visible when smiling or speaking.  Another potential drawback of removable partial dentures is that because they can move slightly when eating or speaking, there is the potential for discomfort.

Temporary Denture

Temporary dentures offer a short-term solution for a missing or lost tooth.  This type of denture is used when the tooth or teeth will be fully restored in the future via an implant or bridge and the site needs time to heal.  Sometimes referred to as a “flipper” due to its ease of flipping in and out of place, these dentures function like a removable denture but are typically not as bulky, sturdy, or as expensive.  And just as with a removable denture, the surrounding teeth are not altered when placing a temporary denture.

Bridge

When there are teeth on either side of the lost tooth, a bridge may be a restoration option.  A more permanent restoration, bridges are cemented in the mouth, fixed, and not removable.  In order to place a bridge, teeth on either side of the lost tooth are cut down in order to connect them together.  Clearly, cutting down otherwise healthy teeth is a disadvantage of using a bridge.  Another drawback is that bridges do not bend under the flex of the jaw and can be prone to springing leaks on either side that could allow bacteria or decay to seep in.  However, when one or more teeth need to be replaced, bridges can be an ideal solution.

Dental Implant

Perhaps the most natural option for replacing a missing tooth is a dental implant.  Implants are perhaps the best at looking, feeling, and functioning like a natural tooth when chewing, smiling, speaking, and brushing.  The procedure involves implanting metal posts, that function like the tooth’s root, into the gums on which an abutment and crown are placed.  One of the biggest advantages of a dental implant is that surrounding teeth are not affected.  However, since the process involves surgery, it is more invasive, can take longer to recover from, and is more expensive than other alternatives.

Leave Untreated/Do Nothing

A final option is to leave the lost or missing tooth untreated.  While there is an obvious drawback appearance wise, it is possible that other teeth could shift to fill the gap created by the lost tooth.  When this occurs, cleaning can become more difficult which could lead to decay or bone loss around the surrounding teeth.

More on Fixing Teeth : Fix Chipped Teeth