Cosmetic Dentist, Chelsea, AL
Posted on 31. Aug, 2010 by Dr. G in Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry
Many people are faced with hopeless or non-restorable teeth that have to be extracted (removed). Once you have lost a tooth you are usually given several options.
First, you can replace it with an implant. This is only true is some cases, where there is enough bone in your jaw and you are healthy enough to accept an implant. Implants are inserted into the jaw bone and act as roots, then a crown is placed on top. Implants require surgery and usually take a minimum of 3 months to complete due to the healing process required. They can also be costly as dental insurance still does not cover them well.
The second option is a bridge. A bridge consists of placing a crown on either side of the missing tooth space, and splinting another tooth to those crowns. When the bridge is placed, you will have three teeth that are joined. This can make flossing difficult, but otherwise a bridge feels and functions just as normal teeth would. A bride is fixed and does not come in and out, which leads us to the third option, a partial denture.
A partial denture is usually used to replace multiple missing teeth. It is a removable unit that clasps onto other teeth in your mouth. Partial dentures do not function exactly like normal teeth and usually require patients to adjust their speech and eating habits. Many people find partial dentures to be a satisfying replacement for their missing teeth and keep them for years.
The final option is to do nothing. Some patients choose this option for a variety of reasons including financial reasons. Depending on what tooth is missing, this can be an acceptable option. The main consequence is that other teeth will shift in order to accommodate this space, and it can cause these, otherwise healthy teeth to begin having problems.
If you have a missing tooth and would like to discuss your options, feel free to call our office and we will be glad to do a consultation with you.