Whether you’re missing a tooth due to a rough hockey game or you lose a tooth due to gum disease or another illness, you might feel self-conscious about it. You’re in good company though, as there are about 120 million people in the US who are missing at least one tooth.
While a missing tooth might not cause any medical issues, it could make it difficult to chew, make you reluctant to smile and make you uneasy about your appearance overall. The good news is that there are several options to deal with missing teeth. Read on for some options.
Dental Implants
Implants are one of the most common tooth replacement techniques. There are a few different dental implant types, but they are all relatively similar in that they use a crown and a fake root to create a realistic-looking tooth.
The root is a metal post that is implanted into your jaw and then the fake tooth, the crown, is placed over it. The crown is made just for you and will look natural along with your other teeth.
Bridge
A bridge is often the best choice if you are missing multiple teeth in a row. You can use a tooth-supported bridge or an implant-supported bridge. A tooth-supported bridge is attached to your existing teeth. This procedure is typically less expensive as no oral surgery is required.
An implant-supported bridge used dental implants to secure the bridge. Neither type of bridge is permanent and they typically must be re-done over time, making them expensive in the long run.
Partial Denture
Partial dentures are an option if you are missing just a few teeth. Dentures are a set of fake teeth that you put in each day to replace the missing teeth.
They clasp into place to stay in the correct spot but do not have to be permanently attached to anything. You must remove them and clean them each day, but they are a great option if you are limited on funds and do not want to undergo oral surgery.
Complete Denture
Complete dentures are a nearly full (or completely full) set of false teeth that you put in each day. Like partial dentures, they must be removed and cleaned every day and they aren’t meant to be worn 24 hours at a time. They can get uncomfortable easily, as well, and require a lot of care.
How to Fix Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can greatly reduce your self-confidence and make you feel shy and introverted. When your smile isn’t as bright and complete as you’d like, many people find that they avoid socializing. The good news is that there are plenty of different options for replacing missing teeth, depending on how many teeth you need to replace, your budget, and what kind of commitment you want to make.
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