5 Ways to Replace Your Missing Tooth
The Best Missing Teeth Solutions
Your smile is one of the first things people notice.
A great first impression always starts with a great smile.
When you meet someone for the first time, it’s important that you appear confident, give good eye contact, have a firm handshake, and, last but not least, have a nice bright smile.
We’ve all met countless people in our lives, and there is a good probability that not every introduction has happened this way.
Some people don’t make eye contact, they seem nervous, they skip the handshake, and then they skip the easiest part of the entire process, the smile.
A smile is so simple and so impactful, yet most of us don’t do it nearly enough.
There could be countless reasons why people don’t smile. These include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Nervousness
- and more
There’s also another reason they might not smile that’s a much easier fix than the reasons listed above.
They’re missing a tooth.
A missing tooth, especially right in the front of your smile, can be embarrassing and make people extremely self-conscious.
It causes them to hide their smile completely, or at least hide the pearly white.
Luckily, if you have a missing tooth, there are several options to get it fixed so you can bring your smile back.
Below we will talk about five of them.
1. Dental Implant
A dental implant is an excellent way to replace a missing tooth.
Implants look and feel the most natural, and they feel natural while chewing, brushing, or showing off your smile.
An implant actually replaces the root of the missing tooth and takes several months to heal in the bone.
Once that’s healed, a crown is placed on top.
A major advantage of a dental implant is that you don’t have to alter any of the surrounding teeth.
You can use implants to replace just one tooth, or they can replace multiple teeth.
When you have an implant, there’s no way for anyone else to tell the difference between the implant and your actual teeth. They are also completely permanent.
Click here for a Complete Guide to Dental Implants.
2. Bridges
When it comes to replacing just one tooth, dental bridges are often considered the second best option right behind implants.
For a bridge, the two teeth on either side of your missing teeth will receive crowns, and then a fake tooth is added to replace your missing tooth.
A bridge is fixed so you don’t have to constantly remove it, which gives it better functionality compared to the removable options.
Bridges are also less expensive, and take much less time to complete than dental implants.
So if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to break the bank, an implant is a great option for you.
Keep in mind that bridges are a little harder to maintain, which could lead to recurrent tooth decay.
3. Implant Supported Denture
Implant supported dentures are attached to and supported by implants.
Regular dentures rest on your gums, while implant dentures snap onto implants using special attachments that provide better support than regular dentures.
Like the other types of implant-supported fixes, implant dentures are completed in two phases.
First, your dentist performs a surgical procedure that places at least two dental implants into your jaw.
When that is completed and healed, your dentist will complete the second phase by fitting your new custom prosthesis.
4. Removable Partial
A removable partial denture, worn only during the day, can replace one or several missing teeth.
Occasionally a partial denture may need metal clasps to help it stay in the mouth.
Unfortunately, the metal clasps are often visible when smiling or talking, and they can move a little while you speak or eat, which is often uncomfortable.
You should take them out each night and soak them in a cleaning solution.
A partial denture is the most economical option, and it doesn’t require filing down any teeth.
5. Temporary Denture
A temporary denture will be a short term solution for your missing tooth.
They are often called flippers because they flip in and out easily.
Temporary dentures are often used when a more permanent solution will be used in the future, but you have to wait for your mouth to heal.
They are very similar to partial dentures, but not as sturdy, bulkier, and not quite as expensive.
None of your surrounding teeth will be altered when you get a temporary denture.
BONUS: Do Nothing
I know, doesn’t seem like much of a bonus, does it?
But, it’s still an option.
Some people don’t do anything because the missing tooth isn’t noticeable, or they choose to do nothing because of the costs associated with the missing tooth.
While you are free to do nothing, failing to replace a missing tooth can cause dental problems down the road.
The two main risks you’re taking when you don’t replace your missing tooth are tooth movement and bone loss.
If you’re missing a tooth, the neighboring teeth will start shifting into the empty space, creating gaps between teeth and affecting your bone health.
The density of your jawbone decreases after you lose a tooth because it loses the root stimulation.
By replacing your missing tooth as soon as possible, you can avoid having to make up for bone loss with a bone graft procedure.
Ready For A New Tooth?
If you have a missing tooth you’re ready to replace, the dentists at Hylan Dental Care are ready to help.
They have extensive years of experience replacing teeth, and they will help you decide which option above is best for you.
After your visit to Hylan Dental Care, you will want to flash your smile as often as possible.
Click the button below and take the first step toward a more confident smile today.