A missing tooth can alter your appearance dramatically. Whether you lose your tooth due to an injury, tooth decay, gum disease, or a genetic problem, you will be asking yourself the question, “What are my options for replacing a missing tooth?”
A complete set of teeth allows you to smile with confidence and is vital for your overall health. You fail to realize the value of your teeth until they’re lost. Most people assume that tooth replacement options are super expensive. While that may be true for some alternatives, there are several available options for replacing a missing tooth, and at least one is likely to fit your budget.
How Do Missing Teeth Cause Problems?
Contrary to what most people believe, tooth loss is not just a cosmetic issue. Losing a tooth can have a domino effect on your overall health. If there is a huge gap between the time you have lost a tooth and the actual replacement, you can run into a number of problems.
Misalignment: When you lose a tooth, the remaining teeth surrounding it start shifting and trying to fill the opening left by the tooth. This can lead to a misalignment in your bite, along with other problems such as mouth pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing.
Bone loss: One of the prime reasons to immediately look for options for replacing a missing tooth is bone loss. Lack of stimulation in the area of your missing tooth can lead to bone deterioration and loss of jawbone density.
Overcrowding: Because your teeth begin to shift to cover the spaces created by missing teeth, it can lead to overcrowding of teeth and give you a crooked, unattractive smile.
Higher Treatment Costs: A missing tooth makes you more susceptible to gum and tooth decay and infections. This will lead to higher dental care costs in the future. For this reason, it’s best to start looking at options for replacing a missing tooth as soon as you lose one.
Your Best Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth
When researching the question, “What are my options for replacing a missing tooth?” you will learn that multiple alternatives are available which can help restore your beautiful smile along with the complete function of your oral cavity.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are amongst the most popular and common methods when searching for options for replacing a missing tooth. They look and behave just like the tooth you lost, and the best part is that they replace your missing tooth from the very root.
Dental implants consist of a screw post inserted into your jawbone with a special drill. An abutment is attached to this screw post, which acts as an anchor for your new implant. An artificial tooth in the form of a cap or crown is attached on top of the abutment, which can perform all the functions of a natural tooth. The best part is that no one can discern the difference between an implant and your real teeth.
Implants are among the only tooth replacement options that can permanently substitute your missing tooth.
Dentures
Dentures are a cost-effective method of replacing a missing tooth or even multiple missing teeth. The structure of dentures is formed with artificial teeth fixed to a plastic base that looks like your natural gums.
A set of complete dentures consists of a row of false teeth that fit on your upper and lower palate. Partial dentures are also made in a custom-based mold of your mouth and can replace your missing tooth.
The main advantages of dentures are that you can get used to them quite easily, and since they are removable, you can get rid of them while eating or sleeping. However, because of the constantly changing shape of our oral cavity, dentures need to be adjusted at regular intervals.
Tooth-Supported Bridge
A tooth-supported bridge is a minimally invasive procedure that can help replace your missing tooth. In this procedure, the gap left behind by a lost tooth is filled by a bridge supported by your real teeth on each side of the gap. The center of the bridge consists of your prosthetic tooth that can serve the functions of your natural teeth.
If you are exploring options for replacing a missing tooth that is minimally invasive, then a tooth-supported bridge is your answer. It is also highly affordable as no surgery is required for its installation.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are slightly different from regular dentures. Traditional dentures are removable and tend to slip around your mouth while you eat or talk or if they are not fitted properly. On the other hand, implant-supported dentures are held in one place by dental implants that are fused to your jawbone.
The versatile combination of denture support and implant stability gives you the confidence to laugh, smile, eat, and enjoy without worrying that your dentures will fall out of your mouth or become loose. While looking at options for replacing a missing tooth, you cannot fail to overlook this one, as it gives you a lasting smile without the hassle of denture maintenance.
Bottomline
In conclusion, replacing a missing tooth is essential for maintaining oral health and restoring functionality. By exploring options such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures, individuals can regain their confidence and enjoy a healthy, complete smile once again.
Our dentists at University Ave Dental can help you make the best choice for your smile and ensure it lasts for a long time.
Our honest advice and guided approach can help you explore the best options to fill in the gaps left by your missing teeth. Schedule your consultation today so we can find the perfect solution for you. You can also call us at 763.784.1242 or visit us at 10155 University Ave NE, Suite #112, Blaine, MN 55434.
University Ave Dental – A trustworthy dental clinic to give you a lasting smile.