How do you fix missing teeth?

A missing tooth can significantly impact your self-esteem, but did you know it can also harm your oral health? Because your teeth work together to help you chew and speak, a missing tooth can put undue stress on the teeth around it. Getting a replacement tooth as soon as possible benefits your oral health, whether you've lost teeth through wear and tear or an accident.

Fortunately, you have numerous options for replacing lost teeth. Your unique circumstances will determine the best option for replacing lost teeth, although each method has advantages and disadvantages. This is a decision best made with your dentist's help, but here's a rundown of your alternatives for replacing lost teeth:

Dental implant:

Dental implants are the choice that comes closest in feel and look to real teeth. The jaw is surgically implanted with a titanium post, and a crown is placed to look like a real tooth. Implants can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth and are a wonderful choice for long-term dental health as they mimic the root of a natural tooth and prevent bone loss.

Dental implants, on the other hand, may not be right for everyone. Because dental implants require surgery, you must be in good general health and have sufficient bone to support the implant. In addition, certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes or leukemia, can make healing and surgical recovery difficult. If your medical condition affects your body's healing ability, you may not be the ideal candidate for dental implants.

Dentures:

Dentures are removable dentures divided into two types: partial and full. When some natural teeth remain in the mouth, partial dentures are used. They consist of a plastic base matching your gums' color, replacement teeth on top, and a metal framework to hold the denture in place.

You need a full denture if all your teeth are missing or have been extracted. When all teeth have been removed, full dentures are custom-made to fit the gums and, if properly fitted, are held in place by a suction seal.

Dentures are the least expensive way to replace lost teeth, but many people find them uncomfortable as they are not securely attached and can slide around when speaking or eating. They may also need to be replaced more frequently than other options as they are more easily misplaced or damaged.

Fixed bridges:

A fixed bridge is a long-term replacement for a lost tooth or teeth that span the space between adjacent teeth. The teeth on each side of the fix missing teeth are ground down, crowns are placed, and a pontic (missing denture) is connected to the crowns in the middle.

To replace a lost tooth with a fixed bridge, you must have teeth on each side of the gap to which the bridge can be bonded. If many teeth are missing, a fake tooth implant can form a base for a bridge.

Bridges are less expensive than implants but require more maintenance as the bridge needs to be cleaned under the pontic. They look, feel and function like natural teeth, making them popular. But they also affect the teeth next to the bridge, which are often completely healthy.