What is the Best Tooth Replacement Option to Consider for Missing Teeth?
A missing tooth impacts more than just your smile. While most people
worry about their incomplete smile, a missing tooth puts you at risk of bone
loss in the jaw, teeth misalignment, and other oral problems. All the more
reasons to see your dentist about having the tooth replaced.
But which replacement option should you opt for? While your dentist can guide you on the various options, it's always better to do some research on your own.
So, before you go in for your dental checkup, we breakdown the most popular tooth replacement options to help you determine which one is best for you.
Option 1: Dental implants
Dental implants have become one of the more popular choices for
tooth replacement. Most dentists recommend it as the most reliable option. The
replacement tooth is screwed into your jaw, so it doesn’t move around or
slip off. It will look and feel like your natural tooth. Leaving you with a
complete, healthy smile. It is also durable and gives your mouth the ability to
function as it did before.
- A strong, durable, and effective solution to missing teeth
- Look and feel like your natural teeth
- Screwed on, doesn’t rely on neighboring teeth for support
- A lifelong replacement option as long as you take good care of your teeth
Cons of dental implants
- Costly, dental implants will cost you thousands of dollars
- Requires an invasive procedure with the implant being screwed on, there is a possibility of you developing an infection
Before dental implants were introduced, people usually opted for dentures. Dentures are still common when it comes to multiple missing teeth. The main reason for that is because it is inexpensive when compared to dental implants.
Dentures are removable teeth that are clasped into place. They don’t look as natural as dental implants but get the job done when it comes to allowing your mouth to function as it did before. Many find them to be a bit uncomfortable, it takes a while to get used to them. You need to take the dentures out daily and leave them in a cleaning solution, so there are additional steps compared to implants to take care of them.
Pros of dentures
- Dentures are the least expensive tooth replacement option
- Easy to add additional teeth to the dentures, in case you lose one or more in the future
- They are easy to repair and replace when the need arises
- Fitting the dentures is a simple process, no need for invasive surgery
Cons of dentures
- Some people may find dentures to be uncomfortable
- Needs to be removed every night and left in a solution, additional steps for cleaning
- Can slip off, if not clasped properly
Bridges will look and feel like your natural teeth. They will give you the ability to use your mouth as you did before and regain confidence in your smile.
Pros of bridges
- Can be used for a missing tooth or a row of missing teeth
- Not a permanent solution, it is likely that you will need to get the bridge replaced after a few years
- Doesn’t require an invasive surgery
Cons of bridges
- Adjoining teeth in teeth supported bridges may be damaged with time
- Not a permanent solution
Doesn’t matter how you lost your tooth, you have a few options for replacement. In selecting the best, you need to consider cost, durability, look, feel, and your comfort level with the procedure. We have laid out the pros and cons of the three popular options for tooth replacement. All so you can decide the best option for yourself.
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