People can lose their teeth due to dental decay, injury, gum disease, or a genetic condition. A missing tooth, especially missing front teeth, can minimize the appeal of your smile. However, it can also cause misalignment of the teeth, deterioration of the jawbone, and an increase in the risk of infection. Therefore, tooth replacement not only gives you a renewed smile but prevents future dental problems as well.
In this article, we discuss the methods of tooth replacement for fixing a missing tooth:
There are three basic methods for replacing a missing tooth. These include dental implants, dentures, and dental bridges.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a tiny post made of titanium that acts as a replacement for the tooth’s root. An abutment is a connector that is attached to the top of the dental implant and links it to the replacement tooth. Finally, the dental implant is completed with a crown, which is the tooth replacement and is specifically manufactured to match your original teeth.
Dentures
Dentures are removable fake teeth that are used to replace teeth that have been lost. They are custom-made to fit the form and size of a person’s jaws and sit over the gums to replace lost teeth. These can be full or partial depending on how many natural teeth are remaining in your mouth. Dentures are also available in several types.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge can replace one or more missing teeth, including missing front teeth. The bridge includes artificial (fake) teeth, which are also called pontics, with crowns on either side of the missing tooth or teeth that support the pontics.
There are four main types of dental bridges, which include traditional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, implant-supported bridges, and Maryland dental bridges (resin-bonded bridges). The last type of dental bridge is ideally used for fixing missing front teeth.
Which Method is the Best for Tooth Replacement?
When you have missing teeth, you should get an initial consultation from your dentist to determine what tooth replacement method will be ideal in your case. The method used can vary depending on your dental health and even budgetary limitations.
Are there Veneers for Missing Teeth?
Veneers cannot replace missing teeth. A tooth must first be present for a dental veneer to be installed. Veneers come under cosmetic dental services. During the procedure, a thin porcelain veneer is glued to the front of your teeth to disguise discoloration, stains, chips, or cracks that are not treatable with regular tooth whitening.
What to do when you have Missing Teeth?
If you have lost one or more teeth, you should not wait long to get a tooth replacement. If you do not get a timely treatment to fix the issue, it can do more than just damage your smile. Soon, your adjacent teeth will start drifting to fill the gap left behind and your jawbone can also start to deteriorate due to lack of chewing and within the specific area of tooth loss.
Missing Tooth Treatment in Chula Vista
Dr. Nick Addario is a Chula Vista dentist who offers quality and affordable missing tooth treatment. Call or visit to learn more or book an appointment.