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
