Missing teeth are problematic in many ways. They not only leave gaping holes in your smile, which is distracting and unappealing, these spaces can actually make you look unhealthy and older than you actually are. Plus, missing teeth aren’t doing your mouth any favors when it comes to biting and chewing food. Whether you’re missing a molar or otherwise, all missing teeth are important and should be replaced. The question is, what’s the best restorative dentistry option for filling in the spaces?
Depending on your unique oral health situation, your dentist will go over various restorative dentistry options that are available to you to replace missing teeth, including:
- Dental implants: Dental implants are the permanent alternative to dentures. No adhesives needed! If you have strong bone density in your jaws, dental implants are often the prime choice for replacing missing teeth. Small titanium rods are implanted into your jawbone under the gum during the dental implant procedure. As the area heals over several weeks or months, the rod will fuse to the jawbone at which point the implant becomes a permanent part of your mouth. Then the implant is ready for a permanent porcelain crown (until that time you’ll have a temporary crown) that has been custom-made to match the shade of your surrounding teeth. The end result: A functional, natural-looking, comfortable implant that feels just like a natural tooth.
- Dentures: The word “dentures” has a negative connotation. But modern dentures are actually a viable option for people of any age who are missing many teeth from their top or bottom jaw. Whether you need a full denture that replaces all of your teeth, or a partial denture that replaces a few missing teeth, dentures have become a natural-looking option that are comfortable and secure. Denture adhesive, for some people, is the best option to secure a denture in the mouth on its gum-colored based. But it is also possible to use clasps that attach to existing teeth, or to attach the dentures to dental implants, making the prosthetic far more stable.
- Bridge: One missing tooth or a few missing teeth are certainly problematic. But if you don’t want to undergo surgery for dental implants, a porcelain fixed dental bridge is a less-invasive and just as secure an option that makes it easier for your to eat and speak and makes you confident enough to smile. Bridges are ideal for one or more missing teeth in a row and are able to close the large gap by filling in the gap with a new porcelain tooth or teeth, whichever the case may be. Hidden clasps hold the bridge in place permanently. Once settled, a bridge cannot be removed and can last for decades with proper preventive care.
Ultimately, every type of restorative dentistry option is only successful if you are invested in the treatment. Opting for strong dental implants doesn’t mean they take care of themselves – it’s still important to brush and floss daily and keep up with regular visits to your dentist. Dentures must be cleaned properly with the recommended denture cleaner so that they work and fit properly in your mouth. Bridges must be tended to just like regular teeth as well, undergoing brushing and flossing to help them look clean and healthy.
Whatever kind of smile makeover you undergo, whether restorative or cosmetic, the end result depends on you. Take care of your new smile and it will do wonders for you, both aesthetically and functionally, perhaps even professionally and socially too! Make an appointment with Manhattan cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei to learn more about the restorative dentistry solutions that are right for your missing teeth.
