Missing teeth in the smile are detrimental by your overall health and can permanently impact your appearance. With innovations in dentistry, there are a variety of restorative procedures that restore the function and beauty of your smile.
The most reliable treatments available to replace missing teeth are fixed bridges, partials, dentures, and dental implants. Below we detail the pros and cons of each treatment to give you a better sense of what to expect from your dental procedure.
Fixed Bridges
A traditional method of replacing one or multiple missing teeth, fixed-bridges are a reliable way to restore teeth. Bridges require neighboring teeth to support the artificial tooth. These teeth are altered and then capped with a dental crown. The whole restoration can be made with porcelain or porcelain fused to metal to retain the natural aesthetic of your smile. However, a downside of this procedure is the alteration of neighboring teeth to receive new teeth. With proper care, fixed bridges can last 15 and more years.
Partials
Partial dentures are recommended for patients who have only a portion of teeth missing. Partials can be made with comfortable plastics that look like gum tissue and even porcelain teeth. The partials may be made on a metal base frame to secure the prosthetic to any remaining teeth. This may hinder their tooth structure slightly.
Dentures
A well-known replacement option for patients who have all their teeth missing, dentures and partials are also known as prosthetic teeth. Dentures, however, do not have a metal base but can be made with flexible, comfortable plastics that suction to the jaw. Over time, dentures can become ill-fitting and may require denture adhesives to stay in place.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most flexible and long-lasting solution for replacing teeth. This treatment can replace the entire tooth from root to crown and is applicable to any number of missing teeth. Some restorations that dental implants can support are crowns, bridges, and dentures. Instead of using existing teeth or adhesive to keep the restoration in place, they are affixed to surgically placed implant posts that promote jaw bone growth.
For more information on restorative dental treatments and which is the best option for you, contact our dental office today.