Options in Replacing Missing Teeth
Having missing teeth is not an ideal condition. Not only it’s bad for your health, but can also compromise your self-esteem and make you avoid smiling. The good news is that there are a few options for tooth replacement which are explained below. Discussing those with your dentist might help you find the best solution for you.
Dental implants can be seen as the best and most comfortable tooth replacement option. They are also the most expensive treatment. An implant is an artificial titanium root that is anchored to the jaw bone. A crown must be later placed for the implant to be complete. This replacement solution feels very natural and does not require other teeth for support.
A fixed bridge can be considered as a series of three or more crowns combined together, where the one in the middle replaces the missing tooth. The crowns on the edge cover your own teeth which are used as anchors. A bridge is fixed on the side teeth and cannot be removed, making it very aesthetic because it looks like your real teeth.
Partial and complete dentures are removable and not fixed like implants and bridges. They can replace several (partial) or all (complete) missing teeth. Because they are removable, they are not as stable, making them less comfortable, and do not help you chew foods as effectively as effectively as implants and bridges. But depending where your missing teeth are, dentures can give you a complete and beautiful smile. Partials also prevent your other teeth from moving.
Complete article: Causes and Consequences of Tooth Loss
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