A missing tooth can affect your bite, speech and eating choices. As you rely more on your remaining teeth, you increase the chance they will wear out prematurely, or be damaged or lost. You may also experience headaches and/or jaw pain.
Generally, people will lose 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. Dental implants are more easily placed when teeth are first extracted because bone replacement becomes more complex as time passes. Implants act just like your natural teeth. They safeguard and preserve your bone structure, oral health and appearance. Your dentist and the implant surgeon will provide you with options so that you can make the most informed decision concerning tooth replacement.
Tooth Replacement Options
You can select from a number of different options to replace your missing teeth – from temporary to long-lasting solutions.
A good candidate is anyone missing one or more teeth, or who is unhappy with their dentures. Age is not a factor. However, smoking, diseases such as diabetes, and radiation therapy to the area, have been shown to lower the success rate of implant placement. X-rays of your jaw will be taken to evaluate whether they will accommodate implants. Detailed x-rays may also be required to determine if other tests or procedures are needed to place implants properly.
Fixed Bridge
A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth by creating a set of artificial teeth anchored to adjacent natural teeth. It requires grinding down the neighboring teeth to accommodate the bridge crowns. Although non-removable, fixed bridges are durable but sacrifice healthy tooth structure.
Flipper
A flipper is a fragile, temporary, and inexpensive removable partial denture made of acrylic plastic. It provides a quick interim solution while awaiting a permanent tooth replacement option. However, flippers are not designed for long-term use due to their lack of stability and durability.
Partial Denture
A partial denture uses a plastic base with artificial teeth to fill gaps from missing teeth while fitting around remaining natural teeth. Metal clasps or attachments secure it in place, making it more stable than a flipper but still removable. Regular adjustments are required as the mouth changes over time.
Full Removable Denture
A full denture is an entire arch of artificial teeth set in an acrylic plastic base that rests on the gums to replace all missing teeth. While restoring aesthetics and function, dentures do not prevent jawbone deterioration and often require replacement due to changing mouth shapes.
Dental Implants
Implants are titanium posts surgically embedded into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots, preventing bone loss. They support various tooth replacement options like crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures that look, feel, and function like natural teeth for a lifetime with proper care.
Why select dental implants over more traditional types of restorations?
There are several reasons: A dental bridge can sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge the space of the missing tooth/teeth. In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.