Five Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth

You could lose your teeth for several reasons. Sometimes, teeth fall out due to caries; other times, it could be due to severe periodontitis, advanced age, or even pregnancy. Whatever the reason for you losing your teeth, modern dentistry can help you replace them. But why replace a missing tooth at all? Here are a few reasons why you should do it:

• Bone loss
• Looseineni of the existing teeth
• Changes in facial shape
• Aesthetic reasons

Alternative Solutions for Replacing a Missing Tooth

Dental Implants:

 
Dental implants are one of the best methods to replace lost teeth. They are durable and long-lasting, and if taken care of properly, can last you a lifetime. They also closely resemble natural teeth and help restore normal tooth function quickly. Dental implants are surgically placed in your jaw. Your dental surgeon will first place a screw in your jaw, which will act like an anchor for the implant. Once the implant has healed well, the crown will be placed and sealed. Contact us to know the exact cost of getting dental implants in Calgary.

Pros of dental implants:

• Implants are a safe and effective method to replace missing teeth.
• They look and feel natural, so they are barely noticeable. They can last a lifetime and will not require frequent checkups if cared for well.
• Since your adjacent teeth are not involved, all your neighboring teeth remain intact.

Cons of dental implants:

• They are placed surgically in your jawbone, which makes it an invasive surgical procedure. It increases healing time and has the risks of infections.
• Dental implants are one of the most costly options for replacing missing teeth.

Implant-supported bridge:

 
This might be ideal if you have multiple missing teeth. Replacing every missing tooth in a row with an implant might be unnecessary and costly. Instead, you can get an implant-supported bridge, where the teeth at both ends are secured using an implant while the teeth in the middle are held in place without screws.

Pros of implant-supported bridge:

• It is much less expensive than getting dental implants on every tooth.
• It is ideal for replacing several missing teeth in a row.
• It looks just as natural as dental implants.

Cons of implant-supported bridge:

• They can only be used when you have several missing teeth in a row.
• You might need several visits to the dentist to place it, and it is not a permanent solution to missing teeth.

Tooth-supported bridge:

 
A tooth-supported bridge uses your existing teeth for bridge placement. A crown is placed on the tooth next to the missing teeth, and then the bridge is placed. This might be the perfect option if you want a less invasive procedure to replace missing teeth.

Pros of tooth-supported bridge:

• The process is much less invasive than an implant placement. If you are suffering from disorders like diabetes, healing from surgical procedures might take a long time. In such cases, you can go for a tooth-supported bridge, which gives you the same results as an implant.
• It is a much cheaper option than a dental implant.

Cons of tooth-supported bridge:

• Filing before crown placement can damage the adjacent teeth, increasing the risk of infection.
• Food particles can get trapped between the bridge, which can cause caries and bone loss.

Removable partial denture:

 
A removable partial denture is a great option to replace a few missing teeth if you don’t want to go for implants or bridges. Here, the false teeth are clasped onto your existing teeth, and you can put them on or remove them yourself. Removable partial dentures are made of acrylic resin. It is one of the cheapest alternatives to replace missing teeth.

Pros of removable partial denture:

• A removable partial denture is simple and can be easily repaired if damaged.
• If any of your teeth go missing in the future, false teeth can be directly added to the removable partial denture without needing a complete replacement.

Cons of removable partial denture:

• Partial dentures must be removed before going to bed every night. They also need regular cleaning.
• They don’t look as natural as an implant or bridge.

Flipper:

 
It is a temporary version of a partial denture and is much lighter than an RPD. A flipper can flip in and out of its position since it is not clipped in place through wires like an RPD.

Pros of flipper:

• It is a painless procedure to place a flipper since it does not have any hooks or clasps.
• It is a much cheaper and lighter alternative to an RPD.

Cons of flipper:

• They can be uncomfortable and only temporarily solve the problem of a missing tooth.

Contact us to replace a missing tooth or get standard dental procedures like front tooth filling and dental crowns in Calgary.