DAVIS DENTAL

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

We see patients on a regular basis who are in need of tooth replacement, whether it be a single tooth or several teeth, there are essentially three options. 

Option 1: The first and best option is a dental implant.  It is essentially a screw or a post with rivets made of titanium that is placed in to the jaw bone (we also offer a ceramic implant for patients who are looking for a metal free option). It is then allowed to heal for four-six months so that the bone can fuse to the implant. After healing is complete, a different type of post called an abutment is screwed into the implant so that a replacement tooth can be placed on top. A crown or cap is placed on the post. The process is then complete and the patient may use the implant normally.

Implants are the most similar to a natural tooth. You eat, brush, and floss as you would without an implant. 

Implants also have a much longer life span than other treatment options. 

Option 2: The second option is a bridge. It is made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of both. A bridge is three or more teeth that are fused together and then attached to the neighboring teeth. The bridge will fill the empty space left from the missing tooth. In order for the bridge to fit onto the existing teeth, they must be prepped or ground down to create enough space for the bridge to fit. It is then cemented into place. 

The biggest risk factor with a bridge is bridge failure. This happens when either one or both of the neighboring teeth get decay on them. If this occurs, the entire bridge needs to be removed to have the decay taken out properly. Then a new bridge would need to be made and cemented into place.

Option 3: The third option is a removable partial denture or a retainer that has teeth attached to it. An impression or mold of the upper and lower teeth is taken. The impression is then sent to a Dental Laboratory for fabrication. Once completed, the patient will return to the dental office for an appointment to ensure a proper fit.

Partial dentures are fairly easy to care for. They come in and out of the mouth and can be brushed daily with a soft toothbrush. At night, it is recommended that partial dentures be removed from the mouth and placed in a cup of water with an effervescent tablet like Polident to clean it thoroughly.

The biggest downside to a partial denture for patients is the fact that it does come in and out of the mouth. Over time, it will also need adjustments to keep it fitting well and eventually will need to be replaced. 

It is important to replace missing teeth for the following reasons:

1. Teeth will shift over time. For example, if you had your second to back tooth on the lower left side, extracted, eventually the tooth behind it will begin to move forward at an angle to fill the space. Also, the upper teeth will begin to move down until they touch the opposing teeth again. This process is called super eruption. When teeth begin to shift or move up or down, sometimes they will do it to the point that they are no longer savable and need to be extracted.

2. If you have a tooth extracted and you wait several years before deciding to replace it, there may not be room for an implant or another option because the teeth around it have shifted too much.

3. The other problem with waiting several years before replacing a tooth is you will begin to lose the bone in that area. Which results in needing a bone graft if you have decided to have an implant placed. When having a bone graft done, this will delay healing time and also prolong the implant process. 

Here at Davis Dental, we want to help you have a long lasting, fully functioning, beautiful smile! Contact us for more information. (801)292-5812