Best Option for Missing Teeth Replacement
Best Option for Missing Teeth Replacement
As people age, the chance of having at least one missing tooth increases. In fact, 2/3 of adults in the United States between 40-64 years are missing at least one tooth. Approximately 20% of adults over the age of 65 are missing all their natural teeth. There are many causes for tooth loss, but the most common reasons are untreated dental cavities or tooth decay. Fortunately, there are many popular replacement treatment options for missing teeth. Below is more information on the treatments available to replace your missing teeth, including a discussion of the pros and cons of the most popular replacement options.
Popular Tooth Replacement Options
There are many popular and effective options for replacing missing teeth. Here are a few of the most popular options to help you decide which one may be right for you.
Dental implants: A dental implant is a titanium biocompatible post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The post is designed to replace a natural tooth root and can support a new prosthetic dental bridge, crown or denture. Dental implants are popular due to their high success rate, durability, and natural aesthetic.
Implant crown and bridges: Both implant crowns and bridges are implant-supported restorations, meaning they rely on a dental implant to be securely placed. An implant crown is a great option to replace one missing tooth in either the front or back. On the other hand, an implant-supported bridge is an excellent option to replace several missing teeth. The number of implants that are needed and the length of the implant-supported bridge depends on how many teeth are missing. For individuals who are missing all of their teeth, a full mouth reconstruction can be performed with several implant bridges.
Implant-supported dentures: Implant-supported dentures are dentures that are designed to securely attach to dental implants. In contrast to regular dentures that rest on your gums, implant-supported dentures attach in the mouth providing a better fit and more support. The implant-supported denture procedure requires two phases: first, a surgical procedure to place the two dental implants into the jaw and second, fitting the new custom prosthesis.
Partial dentures: A removable partial denture can help replace a few missing teeth quickly and effectively while keeping your remaining teeth. Partial dentures can be temporary or custom-made based on a mold of your mouth. The partial denture will fit into the space of the missing teeth in your mouth and will attach to keep in place.
Complete dentures: Complete dentures, often called full upper or lower dentures, replace a full arch of missing teeth at once, making them a cost-effective option.
There are many tooth replacement options to choose from and deciding what is right for you may be a challenge. However, any one of the available options is better than choosing to do nothing. Missing teeth can cause many critical issues for your health, including bone loss and shifting of the teeth. If you are ready to replace your missing teeth but are not sure which option is right for you, do a little research and have a conversation with your dental provider. They will help you determine which option is best for you.