An important question for individuals who are missing one or more of their natural teeth is: What are my teeth replacement options? In this article, we discuss the most common tooth replacement options, such as dental bridges, implants, and dentures.
What Are My Teeth Replacement Options?
Modern dentistry can offer several types of restoration for missing teeth:
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges consist of a crown or multiple crowns that literally bridge the gap of one or several teeth and, in most cases, rely on the surrounding natural teeth on both sides for support.
Bridges are effective at restoring chewing function and the appearance of your smile, and they might be chosen as a more affordable option compared to dental implants or when implant placement is not possible due to health considerations. The disadvantage of dental bridges is that they can put additional pressure on the natural teeth that support them.
Dental Implants
Dental implants can replace one or several missing teeth. Often, if several missing teeth in a row require replacement, your dentist will recommend an implant-supported bridge. It is similar to a traditional bridge, but arches over and is supported by dental implants instead of natural teeth. Additionally, dental implants can support an entire arch of missing teeth, including implant-supported dentures, all-on-4, and 6-on-3 options.
Regardless of how many teeth you need to replace with dental implants and what type of implant-supported restoration your dentist chooses for you, you need to be a suitable candidate for dental implants:
- Since implants are typically placed directly into the jawbone and later fuse with it to represent the roots of a natural tooth, sufficient bone density is required for the implant to be stable and secure. Some patients might have lost some of their jawbone density due to the process called bone resorption (which occurs when you are missing your natural teeth for a long time) or gum disease. Bone and gum grafting are often done prior to the dental implant surgery to restore bone density.
- Some general health conditions can negatively impact the immune system and regeneration capabilities of your body, making dental implants less likely to heal successfully.
If your doctor decides that you can have a successful procedure of dental implants, this type of restoration has a wide range of advantages compared to other options:
- Dental implants are one of the most sophisticated methods of restoration, offering superb stability and comfort in day-to-day use.
- Dental implants provide up to 95% of the natural bite force due to their stability. This allows you to have a much more variable and nutritious diet.
- Dental implants can last for decades with only occasional replacement of the crowns attached to them.
Dentures
Dentures provide a solution for replacing single teeth, multiple teeth, or a complete arch. There are multiple types of dentures:
- Traditional removable dentures rely on the gums and the jawbone for support. This option can take some time to get used to, because it can be unstable in the mouth. Additionally, there are limitations to the types of foods you can eat with this type of denture.
- Implant-retained (or snap-in) dentures are also removable, but they are securely attached to dental implants, providing a more stable fit. This retention method makes them more stable and convenient in daily use.
- Non-removable implant-supported dentures are similar in principle to snap-in dentures, but they are permanently attached to several dental implants, which makes them the most stable option.
Get High-Quality Dental Restorations at Santa Ana Magic Smile
If you are missing one or several of your teeth, do not hesitate to sign up for an appointment with an experienced dentist at Santa Ana Magic Smile today. Our specialists will carefully examine your case to provide a restoration solution that meets your goals, oral health needs, and considerations.
