Best Option for Missing Teeth Replacement
Less than half of all adults in the US have all their permanent teeth. As you age, your chance of missing at least one tooth increases. Two-thirds of adults over the age of are 50 missing at least one tooth. Almost 20% of adults over the age of sixty-five are missing all their natural teeth. The most common cause for tooth loss is untreated dental cavities or tooth decay.
Losing teeth can make you feel self-conscious and can impact your ability to speak or to eat. Several replacement tooth options exist today:
* Dental implants
* Implant crown and bridges
* Implant-supported dentures
* Partial dentures
* Complete dentures
* Do nothing
Following is a brief review for each option, including its benefits and disadvantages.
Dental Implant
A dental implant will integrate with your jawbone, making it an ideal tooth replacement option. Your dentist surgically places an implant post into your jawbone, which acts as an artificial tooth root. The implant can support a replacement such as a dental bridge, crown, or denture.
The implant post is made from titanium, a biocompatible material. Once the implant has fused or bonded to the jawbone, an artificial tooth is attached. Dental implants are the closest option available to your natural teeth.
Some benefits of implants include:
* They have a 95% success rate.
* They are durable and permanent.
* They are comfortable and feel more natural.
* They are appealing visually.
* They require normal good oral hygiene.
* They prevent jawbone loss.
* They have a long-life expectancy.
* The adjacent teeth do not need to be modified.
Implant Crown and Bridges
The only missing back teeth solutions in the past were removable dentures or a dental bridge. You now have numerous options. A few good alternatives to a standard restoration are:
* An implant dental bridge
* An implant crown
* An implant-supported denture
Both implant bridges and implant crowns are implant-supported restorations. An implant-supported bridge is a smart choice to replace a span of several missing teeth. The number of implants needed, and the actual length of the implant-supported bridge will depend on the number of teeth missing.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are overdentures supported by implants. Unlike traditional dentures, which just sit on your gums, implant dentures will attach to implants, providing far better stability and support.
Like most types of implant-supported restorations, an implant denture installation requires several phases. First, the implants must be surgically placed in your jawbone. Next, your dentist will create your new custom prosthesis.
Partial Dentures
With a removable partial denture, you can replace your missing teeth quickly and keep your remaining natural teeth. The denture is personally custom-fabricated. It is created from pink acrylic or nylon, which mimics your gums. The artificial teeth attach to the base. A partial denture usually requires clasps around the natural teeth to keep it in place.
Complete Dentures
Unlike a partial denture that replaces only some teeth, a complete set of dentures, also known as either full upper or full lower dentures, will replace a complete arch of missing teeth.
Do Nothing
All dental professionals will advise against doing nothing. Missing teeth will cause your jawbone to atrophy, and the remaining natural teeth will drift and shift. Your bite alignment will change as well. The density of your jawbone decreases because it no longer has root stimulation. You should do your best to replace a missing tooth as soon as you can.