Options for Missing Teeth

If you have missing teeth, you are not alone. Many people, especially as they age, lose their teeth to decay, bone resorption, and different types of oral trauma and injuries. Missing teeth not only affect your appearance, they can also make chewing and even speaking far more difficult. Patients come in all the time with concerns about their options for replacing teeth. While every circumstance is different, these are three main solutions.

Bridges

One tooth restoration option is a fixed bridge. This is placed by the dentist over the course of multiple visits and involves filling the toothless space with one or more new “teeth” by cementing them to adjacent existing teeth. Creating a bridge requires the dentist to grind down the adjacent teeth.

Partial Dentures

Also known as a removable dental bridge, partial dentures have a gum colored base, that attaches to adjacent teeth (no grinding down required) via clasps or precision attachments. Partial dentures are less expensive than other tooth replacement options but don’t always offer the same comfort or aesthetic appeal.

Complete Dentures

For those who are missing most or all of their teeth, complete removable dentures are often the trusted choice.  Since full dentures cover the entire existing gum area, they require quite a bit of getting used to. Learning to insert the dentures properly, clean them, and eat/speak efficiently are challenges that your dentist can help you surmount. A good experience with complete dentures starts with well-fitting prosthetics and a caring dental professional who will take the time to prepare the patient.

Dental Implants

We get many questions from patients about dental implants, which have become increasingly popular for tooth replacement in the past few years. They are an effective long-term option for people who are in good health. The primary part of the implant is the titanium post inserted into the gums. Once the gums and jaw bone osseointegrate the post and healing occurs, the dentist then places a specially formed tooth or bridge (in the case of multiple missing teeth) on top of the implant. Since inserting dental implants is a minimally invasive procedure, you and your dentist should consider the pros and cons of your unique situation carefully.

If you have one or missing teeth, one of these options may be right for you. Avoid losing additional teeth by practicing good oral hygiene, protecting yourself during contact sports, and talking to a doctor about how to ease bone loss. Call Vacendak Dentistry in Chesapeake today to schedule appointment with our caring, compassionate team. We work with most insurance companies to make tooth replacement an affordable, positive experience.