Millions of people around the U.S. suffer from tooth loss. If you have ever lost a tooth, you probably know just how much of an impact it can have on the appearance and functionality of your smile. Whether it’s due to injury, tooth decay, periodontal disease, or a genetic condition, missing teeth can cause several problems.
Having missing teeth makes it difficult to chew, bite, eat, and even causes a change in speech. Moreover, not only does a missing tooth impact your self-confidence due to the damaged appearance of your smile, but it also causes the rest of your teeth to shift out of place, making your face appear more sunken in.
Fortunately, there are various great options available these days that can help you replace your teeth to restore the appearance and functionality of your smile.
Dental Implants
Implants have grown in popularity over the years due to their reliability. An implant looks and feels like a real tooth, making it a permanent solution for your missing teeth. Also, if you care well for your dental implants, they may last a lifetime.
The procedure to install a dental implant is a rather long one. It starts with the placement of a metal post in your jawbone that is left to bind with your jawbone for a few weeks. Once this process is over, you will have a strong foundation to place the new replacement tooth on top of.
Apart from being long-lasting, dental implants help you bite, chew, and eat just like you would with your natural teeth, and they also help prevent the loss of jawbone.
Implant-Supported Bridge
A bridge is another effective tooth replacement solution. An implant-supported bridge is a great solution if you have multiple missing teeth in a row. Since it can be challenging to replace each and every tooth with a dental implant, an implant-supported bridge helps secure the teeth at the two ends via an implant while the middle teeth remain in place.
Tooth-Supported Bridge
A tooth-supported bridge makes use of your existing teeth to place the bridge rather than using implants. An artificial tooth cap is placed and cemented on the teeth next to the missing ones for good hold.
Removable Partial Dentures
Dentures are probably the simplest option to replace missing teeth. Unlike a complete set of dentures, removable partial dentures are recommended for those with a few missing teeth. These dentures are very simply clasped into the correct place to ensure that the artificial teeth are held in their appropriate places.
There are many procedures conducted to replace missing teeth. Only a dental professional can help you assess and decide the best tooth replacement option for your current situation. We provide comprehensive dental services, including dental implant placement at Ford Dental Group. Call us now at (714) 409-6161 to book your appointment.
