3 Dental Procedures That Replace Missing Teeth
Traumatic injuries from sports and car accidents could cause your teeth to fall out. Certain genetic conditions also result in the loss of multiple teeth. Gum disease and tooth decay could also explain missing teeth.
Regardless of the reason, you may want to replace your missing teeth and regain the full function of all your teeth. Missing teeth replacement ensures your jaw and teeth remain stable and healthy to allow for proper dental function.
Take a look at three dental solutions that could restore your missing teeth.
1. Dental Implants
Though a dental implant procedure may involve several trips to the dentist, this process offers a permanent solution to your missing teeth. Dr. Koehn replaces your natural tooth's root with a dental implant, or metal-like screw.
However, in order for your dental implant to fully integrate into bone, time is needed. Once the bone heals, your dentist places a prosthetic tooth that matches your natural tooth on top of an abutment inside the new dental implant.
If you are missing multiple teeth, dental implants can:
- Support your jawline and maintain your original facial structure
- Restore your chewing and biting abilities
- Prevent bone deterioration around the missing gap
- Restore confidence in your smile
Keep in mind that dental implants have a titanium post that integrates with your bone. The full integration ensures your new implant doesn't slip or cause bone damage. Also, since titanium doesn't decay, your new tooth will have reliable support to last a lifetime.
2. Fixed Dental Bridges
Similar to dental implants, a bridge permanently replaces your tooth root. Your dentist could suggest a fixed dental bridge if you are missing teeth within the same area. In this case, the teeth on either side of the gap will support the dental bridge. Here, the dental bridge acts as a sturdy base for the replacement tooth. This replacement option stabilizes your teeth' position and prevents tooth collapse.
To attach a dental bridge, your dentist needs to:
- The teeth next to the space will be prepared for a crown
- An impression or scan is done so a lab can custom make you a new all porcelain crowns with the central crown taking the space of the missing tooth.
Dental bridges offer stability and strength to your teeth. With your new tooth bridge, you can chew and bite normally. Also, your teeth won't shift, and your jawbone will remain intact.
3. Removable Dental Appliance (Partial Dentures)
If you need a replacement solution for all your teeth, your dentist could recommend complete dentures. But, if you are missing only a couple of teeth, removable partial dentures may be a better fit.
Partial dentures are removable teeth appliances that rest on top of your gums. Your partial dentures will look and feel natural since the teeth are custom-made for you. Dental labs can create dentures with the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth. You may take a while to get used to your removable dentures, but they'll eventually grow on you. Your existing teeth only need time to adjust to the partial dentures.
You can still eat and care for your teeth normally, but you'll likely experience some discomfort for the first couple of days. At first, you may have to wear your dentures all the time since that's the quickest way to tell which areas require adjustments. Your dentist can advise you on how long you should wear them if you're unsure when to remove them.
You can get back that confident smile and all dental functions with a full set of teeth. Contact Koehn Dentistry & Aesthetics today to get the best teeth replacement option.
