Best Options For Replacing Missing Teeth in US

Perhaps you lost your teeth due to an accident, tooth decay, or genetic factors. Teeth loss can be accompanied by several other problems and diseases. Regardless of how you lost your teeth, it may be challenging to bite and chew if you don’t find a solution. You may be wondering how you will restore your smile and oral health. Whether it is a single or multiple teeth, replacing them can restore your smile and boost confidence. We will be discussing the best options for replacing your missing teeth in this guide.

Understanding the Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth offers more than an improved smile and enhanced appearance. It prevents future dental issues while maintaining your oral performance. Teeth replacement also prevents bone loss.

Effects of Missing Teeth on Oral Health

Each missing tooth influences your oral health. Taking longer before replacing the missing teeth increases the chances of more tooth loss. When you lose teeth due to illnesses, poor dental hygiene, or injuries, several risks may follow.

Delayed tooth replacement leads to gum diseases because the tooth gap becomes an access for bacteria into the gums.
Missing teeth could be a pathway for more tooth loss. Tooth loss affects the health of the surrounding teeth.
Other teeth can start moving towards the tooth gap, which affects your smile and dental hygiene. Crooked and crowded teeth make flossing hard, and this promotes bacterial buildup.
Biting and chewing with crooked teeth can be challenging because it promotes bruxism and TJM disorder. Bruxism is a persistent grinding of the teeth that damages the teeth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity.

Impact of Missing Teeth on Overall Well-Being

Failure to replace missing teeth affects beyond the physical impression. Teeth loss affects your emotional health due to concerns about your physical appearance. It can also lead to reduced self-esteem and social nervousness. If you have missing teeth, you may avoid being judged, which causes you to limit your speech.

Benefits of Replacing Missing Teeth

When you lose teeth due to trauma, gum disease, or acute tooth decay, ask the dental professional for a solution. The dentist will likely suggest replacement to avoid several health complications. Replacing missing teeth has many lasting benefits, such as:

Preventing bone loss, which causes the jawbone to lose stimulation. Bone loss leads to deformed facial structure, which can only be replaced using dental implants.
Tooth replacement helps to achieve a uniform bite. Replacing missing teeth seals the gaps that lead to an uneven bite.
When you replace missing teeth, you reduce opposing teeth, which are caused by teeth shifting to the gaps.
It helps to maintain teeth function, which allows you to grind, chew, speak, and bite. Teeth gaps can lead to impairment of speech. Restoring them helps to improve your visual appeal and teeth’s functionality.

How to Replace Missing Teeth

Replacing a Single Tooth Without an Implant

There are various categories that we offer for replacing missing teeth. Here are the procedures and their features. You can replace a single tooth without an implant by using fixed bridges.

Removable Partial Denture (Metal or Val-plast-Based)

Dentists use a removable partial denture (metal or Valplast-based). You can easily place a partial denture in and out of your dental formula. The denture replaces a single or several teeth. The partial dentures come in two types, namely: metal-based partial and valplast-based partial. The partials are tailored to fit your gum and are comfortable to wear.

A Flipper

If you are not ready to wait for a lasting tooth replacement, you can opt for a flipper. Flippers are not used for chewing but are ideal to enhance your look and smile. They are permanent solutions that aid in waiting for the partial or bridge options. Flippers are made of acrylic materials that are combined with metal grips to hold them to surrounding teeth.

Dental Bridge

Bridges are used to replace one or more teeth. The dental bridge sizes are known as units, which are placed in three units. Bridges were initially used to replace missing teeth before the invention of implants. Bridges are meant to last long and can’t fall out of your mouth.

Replacing a Single Tooth (With an Implant)

A single tooth implant is done when you have a tooth requiring removal or have an existing tooth gap. Your dental expert can perform immediate or slowed replacement. Immediate placement is done if the bone supporting the tooth is strong. If the bone is not strong to hold a tooth implant, your doctor suggests bone grafting. This involves adding piles to the jaw area with bone loss. Bone grafting provides a suitable basis for placing the implant. Bone grafting takes about three months to heal so an implant can be placed. The bridge can be used to eat and floss easily like a normal tooth.

Replacing Multiple Teeth without Implants

The partials used to replace a single tooth are the same as those used for many teeth. If there are more teeth remaining to hook the partial, it can still enhance your look. Dental bridges for four or more teeth also require the dentist to figure out where they can be placed. Multiple teeth can be replaced using removable full dentures. A full denture gives you a natural appearance, and you can bite and chew comfortably. Removable dentures were in the past used for full dental teeth loss, but that changed with technological advancement.

Replacing Multiple Teeth with Implants

You can have multiple teeth replaced using removable overdentures. They resemble removable full dentures. Dentists place two of the implants on the lower jaw and four of them on the upper jaw. This is done to enhance stability on your jaw.

Dental Implants: A Permanent Solution

Dental implants are plastic tooth roots that dentists place on the jawbone using a surgical procedure. Dental implants are a strong option for tooth replacement and include crowns and bridges. The surgeon inserts the implant on the jawbone and leaves it for weeks to heal. An abutment is placed to connect the implant to the jawbone. Dental implants enhance your appearance and aid in chewing food. They provide a more secure feeling than other options. They are long lasting when well-maintained.

Non-Implant Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Non-implant options like dental bridges and removable dentures are ideal to fill the gap of missing teeth. Dental bridges have a variety of types that your oral practitioner can suggest.

A common type of dental bridge is the tooth-supported set bridge. It has a plastic tooth and dental crowns to stick to your natural teeth.
A resin-bonded bridge consists of metal frames and a porcelain tooth that is fixed at the center. They don’t need a lot of preparation.

Removable dentures for replacement require less preparation and are temporary. Removable partial dentures are not as natural teeth but are easy to fix. A complete denture is a set that is placed on the gums to replace the missing teeth.

Considering Your Budget: Affordable Teeth Replacement Options

Partial dentures are ideal for you if you need to replace missing teeth on a budget. Dental bridges are also affordable and include conventional bridges and resin-bonded bridges.

Insurance Coverage and Financing Options for Tooth Replacement

Many tooth replacement options are expensive, and this calls for options like financing and insurance coverage. You can get a medical credit card, individual loans, and payment plans that dental organizations offer. Several specialized companies also offer financing for replacing missing teeth. Insurance coverage also depends on the providers and the policy. Not all dental insurance covers cater for all the replacement costs.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Replacement Teeth

Cleaning the removable dentures after meals helps prevent bacterial buildup, which may be caused by food being trapped underneath. Carefully remove the dentures to clean them using a soft toothbrush. They should be cleaned daily and soaked overnight to enhance durability. Always store them in a safe place to avoid dropping them. Dropping them causes cracks that may need repair or replacement.

Choosing the Right Tooth Replacement Option for You

Tooth replacement options are not for everyone. There are factors you should consider when choosing a tooth replacement option. The factors include:

Eligibility and comfort
The implant fixing process
Affordability
Functional and appearance advantages
Maintenance
Potential threats and health complications

A dental professional will help you make informed decisions when replacing missing teeth. You should also understand the long-term implications of the tooth replacement option you choose to have. Our dental professionals will provide payment options and replacement options that fit your needs. Talk to us today and begin your journey of aesthetic appeal and confidence.