Losing your teeth doesn’t just affect the look of your smile, it can also have a serious impact on your overall oral health as well.
That’s why it’s crucial to see your cosmetic dentist about a replacement as soon as you can, whether you have lost one or multiple teeth due to accident, injury, infection or age.
Luckily, there’s a wide variety of options you can turn to for restoring the appearance and function of your pearly whites. Your dentist will be able to advise you about the most suitable treatment for your own condition, but here are some facts about the options available.
Dental implants
Dental implants can be the ideal solution for anyone seeking a longer-lasting replacement for their missing teeth.
When you lose a tooth, the root underneath that anchors it within the jawbone is also gone and this can have serious effects on your oral health.
A dental implant is one of the most advanced treatments available for replacing lost teeth, using hospital-grade titanium to create a substitute tooth root. This is inserted within the jawbone in a surgical procedure, and it works as a permanent anchor for the replacement structure above the gum line.
As a result, each tooth can stand alone and the need to create complicated bridge work to the surrounding healthy teeth is eliminated.
Dental implants can be used to support anything from a single crown to a bridge or even a set of dentures.
Dentures
Dental implants provide a permanent anchor for replacement teeth, but dentures are removable false teeth which can consist of either a complete or partial set.
Crowns and bridges
If one tooth is lost, a crown may be placed onto into the space to act as a replacement. Crowns are created and fitted by a dentist and can last for years with the appropriate care.
If several teeth are missing, a dental bridge may be used to span the gap between the surrounding teeth. However, some shaping and re-contouring of the adjacent teeth may be required to prepare them for supporting the bridge.
