Best Options for Missing Teeth Replacement

Best Option for Missing Teeth Replacement

It is not uncommon for people to lose their teeth as they age, and it is estimated that more than half of all U.S. adults over the age of 40 are missing at least one of their secondary teeth. The secondary teeth, also known as the permanent teeth, most frequently fall out because of advanced gum disease or tooth decay, though they can also be knocked out by an injury or fall or fall out for other medical reasons, including osteoporosis, which is characterized by compromised bone density and is common in aging populations. In fact, it is estimated that nearly twenty percent of U.S. adults over age 65 are missing all of their natural teeth. Thankfully, there are many options for people who wish to replace one or more of their missing teeth.

While it may seem like missing a single tooth, perhaps in a less-visible area, isn’t an issue, missing even a single tooth can affect the functioning of the teeth, interfering with speaking and chewing, and it can also cause problems for the other teeth, which can migrate in the jaw when not supported by a neighboring tooth. And of course, missing visible teeth can cause a person to feel self-conscious, sometimes to an extreme extent; the mouth is one of the first things other people see, after all. Some of the more common dental prosthetic options are dental implants, implant-retained dental crowns or bridges, removable partial or complete dentures, and implant-supported dentures.

Dental implants are currently the preferred treatment for the majority of people, providing durability and aesthetic appeal while also helping restore the jaw to health. A dental implant is a tiny cylinder made of biocompatible material, usually titanium, that is surgically placed in the bone of the jaw. The bone and the implant fuse together during healing, which supports the growth of the bone and secures the implant firmly in the jaw; the implant also stimulates the continued generation of healthy bone. After the bone has fully healed, the dental implant will be used to support an artificial tooth or row of teeth. These prosthetics could include dental crowns, which use a dental implant to support a single tooth, with the implant functioning like the root of a healthy tooth and a dental crown replacing an individual tooth. Dental implants can also be used to support a dental bridge or a denture, depending on the number of teeth to be replaced.

Some people aren’t good candidates for dental implants, and you and your dentist can talk about the pros and cons of each dental restoration option when you meet. If dental implants aren’t an option for you, your dentist can provide you with a removable partial denture or removable complete denture, depending on the number of teeth you are missing. Removable dentures can be made to look like a person’s natural teeth and provide an immediate aesthetic benefit. They can also help restore a person’s ability to eat and speak clearly, though they require regular adjustments to keep them from slipping and rubbing against the gums. They are also less expensive than dental implants. In some cases, an existing removable partial or complete denture can be retrofitted to attach to dental implants, and your dentist can talk to you about this at your next checkup, so don’t forget to ask about implant-retained dentures. Implant-retained dentures combine the stability of implants with the immediacy and cost-effectiveness of removable dentures, and in many cases, a full row of teeth can be supported by as few as two or four dental implant, reducing the cost and increasing the convenience of the dental implant procedure for people who are missing entire rows of teeth.