There are various things to consider when exploring your missing tooth replacement options. Factors like your budget, how many missing teeth you have, and the location of the missing teeth determine which teeth replacement restoration works best for you.
Some of the different oral prosthetics that can be used to replace missing teeth include dentures, bridges, and implants. There are also several hybrid oral prosthetics like implant-supported dentures.
Getting lost teeth replaced usually starts with a dental consultation. During the appointment, the dentist will go over the patient’s medical history, their budget, and what they want out of their replacement teeth.
The patient’s jaw and teeth are examined to determine which tooth replacement options would be ideal for them. For example, a person with three missing teeth in a row might be better off with a dental bridge instead of replacing all three missing teeth with implants.
Some of the oral prosthetics that might be recommended once a patient has been evaluated by a dentist include:
Implants are metal rods or screws that are inserted into the jawbone to serve as bases for dental restorations like crowns. They are the closest thing to real teeth as far as oral prosthetics are concerned. The implant fuses with tissues around it via osseointegration, making it virtually as stable as a real tooth. Implants are usually made out of titanium, one of the strongest metals ever discovered, and are designed to last a lifetime.
An implant can be used to replace a single tooth, and it can be combined with other prosthetics to replace multiple teeth. For example, implant-supported dentures can be used to replace up to five teeth in a row. The implants are inserted at both ends of the space, and the artificial teeth of the bridge cover up the rest.
The main drawbacks of implants include taking up to six months to complete the treatment and the fact it requires oral surgery. Some people are simply not healthy enough for surgical treatments.
Dentures are the most economical missing teeth replacement option, and they can be used to replace missing teeth in as little as two weeks. Getting dentures is also the least invasive process since it does not require any surgical procedures like implants or altering healthy teeth as is the case with crowns.
Getting dentures usually takes two trips to the clinic. The first visit is used to take an impression of the patient's teeth. The impression goes to a lab where technicians make the patient’s custom dentures. Patients come back for a second appointment once the customized dentures are ready.
Dental bridges are in between implants and dentures in terms of cost. They are more stable in the mouth than dentures, but they do not provide the bone-preserving properties of implants. One of the biggest drawbacks of bridges is making alterations to the teeth closest to the space left by missing teeth. The two teeth closest to the gap are used to anchor down the artificial teeth of the bridge.
Ready to get rid of the hole in your smile? Call or visit our Boca Raton clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: http://www.periodontistboca.com or call Thomas A. Copulos DDS, PA at (561) 763-1066 for an appointment in our Boca Raton office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Replacement in Boca Raton, FL.
Periodontists have many approaches to tooth replacement. Two of the most common are dental implants and bridges. Although both offer functional and aesthetic benefits, they do so differently. Gaining a better understanding of these differences can help you choose the most suitable option based on your needs, lifestyle, and oral health.Dental implants are an innovative,…
Your periodontist will suggest a dental implant if you need a stable and natural-looking smile. Research shows many patients are happier with these restorations. The artificial tooth blends well with the remaining natural teeth. Here are the details on how a periodontist can transform your smile with a dental implant.A dental implant merges with the…
Dental implants are the foundation of a smile restoration that looks and feels natural. That said, the process behind this premier smile restoration can take an average of five to eight months. The mouth must heal at every stage to ensure long-lasting tooth replacement. Taking a closer look at the dental implant process can help…
Most people think of traditional dentures when they need to replace their teeth. While dentures remain an effective option, dental implants may be the better choice. Learning the key differences between dentures and implants can help patients make an informed choice.Dental implants can permanently replace teeth. The periodontist surgically places these biocompatible metal posts (the…