Looking good and feeling good is important to all of us.  A crucial part of that is maintaining a healthy and attractive smile.  If you are missing one or more teeth, you most likely have become aware of their importance now that they are gone.  All of your teeth work together to help you chew, speak and smile.  When teeth are missing, it is difficult to do these things as well.  Even the loss of one back tooth can cause your teeth to shift and your face to look older.  Fortunately, missing teeth can and should be replaced.  Choosing the correct treatment is very important.  Many people aren’t aware of the different options available to replace missing teeth.  Primarily, three different alternatives exist.  Your dentist may suggest one option over another depending on your needs and the best way to treat you individually.

Implants

Implants are by far my first choice for replacing missing teeth.  A dental implant is much like a natural tooth which has a root anchored in your jawbone.  When you need an implant, a “new root” made from the metal titanium is anchored into the jawbone.  The metal implant fuses to the bone in your jaw and acts like the root of a tooth.  Once the implant integrates into the bone, your dentist makes a replacement crown on the metal post.  The crown is designed to blend in with the way your teeth naturally look and feel.  Patients find an implant to be secure and stable – a good replacement for their own tooth.  Patients need to be in good health and have adequate bone support for the implant to be good candidates for placement.  Fortunately, when there is inadequate bone, bone grafts can be utilized to build up the areas needing the implant.  The advantages of an implant include:  It is the most similar to a natural tooth, the adjacent teeth do not have to be involved in the placement procedure and an implant can help prevent shrinkage of the jawbone that normally occurs with the loss of a tooth.  A disadvantage to implants is the time it takes for completion.  An implant normally requires four to six months of healing before it can be restored.

Fixed Bridges

Another alternative for tooth replacement is a fixed bridge.  This restoration replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost.  A fixed bridge is bonded or cemented in place by attaching it to the natural teeth left next to the space.  An artificial tooth (called a pontic) replaces the lost natural tooth and restores its function.  The pontic is attached to restorations that have been placed on the teeth next to the space.  Typically this requires the adjacent teeth to be prepared for crowns.  Different types of material may be utilized in fixed bridges.  These include gold, porcelain fused to metal and all porcelain restorations.  In some instances, a resin-bonded bridge (sometimes called a “Maryland Bridge”) can be used to replace the tooth.  It is a more conservative restoration that doesn’t require the adjacent teeth to be crowned.   Its application is limited, but in some cases is an excellent alternative.  The advantages of a fixed bridge include:  they look, feel and function like natural teeth and they stay in your mouth.  Disadvantages include:  the adjacent teeth are involved and require restoration, more involved home hygiene to floss and care for the restoration.

Removable bridges (partial dentures)

As its name describes, a removable denture can be taken in and out of the mouth.  Removable bridges usually have replacement teeth attached to gum-colored plastic bases connected by a metal framework.  They typically attach to your remaining natural teeth with metal clasps.  Inserting and removing a removable bridge takes some practice.  It may feel awkward at fist, but eventually you become accustomed to it.  Removable bridges can work well, but they are my third choice for replacement of teeth.  Advantages of removable bridges include:  they are usually less expensive and they are easier to repair.  Disadvantages include:  they can be less stable than the alternative choices, they can break or be lost, it can be a nuisance to take your teeth in and out for cleaning, it takes some time to adjust your speech patterns and it is just a lot of “hardware” to put in your mouth!

Whatever method you and your dentist choose, consider replacing missing teeth because there are too many good things to eat, too many great things to say and too many smiles to share in this life!