PRINTED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
March 3rd, 2012
Gaps from missing teeth, whether due to trauma or extraction, are something that nobody wants.
Missing a tooth or teeth not only impacts your appearance (especially if the gap is at the front) but will also affect you in other ways. Your remaining teeth are vulnerable to drifting, it may cause problems with how you chew, your speech can be affected and it can even affect the appearance of your face.
However, there is good news. There are several options available to deal with missing teeth so it is almost certain that a suitable solution is available for you.
Treatment Options
The three options available are-
Dentures
These are removable and are either an acrylic base or metal framework that carries false teeth. Dentures can be temporary, partial or full. Temporary dentures would be used for example, to fill a gap whilst waiting for the mouth to heal before having a more permanent
Partial or full dentures can be used on a long term basis to replace anything from one missing tooth to an entire mouth. A partial denture may be the best option for example when the remaining adjacent teeth are in poor condition and unsuitable for supporting a bridge. A full denture would be used when there are no teeth remaining at all. There are several different types of denture but they commonly include a metal and/ or plastic plate with acrylic false teeth attached to it.solution like a bridge or an implant.
Dentures are usually the most cost effective option for replacing missing teeth. You should be aware that because they are not fixed in place they can sometimes have a tendency to move, for example when you are eating. They will feel different to natural teeth and can sometimes take some time to get comfortable with. They have to be removed for cleaning and at night time.
Bridges
A bridge is a permanently fixed solution whereby an artificial tooth is attached either side to crowns on existing, adjacent teeth. Bridges are made from porcelain and/ or metal and can have a very natural appearance. For a bridge to be a suitable treatment option, the adjacent teeth have to be healthy and solid in the jaw. A bridge is a slightly more expensive treatment option to a denture but has the benefit of a more natural appearance and you clean it in the regular way, like your natural teeth.
Dental Implants
Implants are the closest-to-nature solution to a missing tooth or teeth. A dental implant is a titanium fixture that is implanted into your jaw to act as the root of the tooth. A crown or bridge is then screwed to the fixture. Titanium has a unique quality in that bone will attach itself to it, so that once the implant is placed it becomes firmly secured naturally by the bone growing around it.
An implant can be a stand-alone tooth or can be used to secure a bridge.
For implants to be a suitable option the gums and bone have to be strong and healthy.
Implants are the most expensive of the three options but will provide the most natural and longest term solution.
If you have missing teeth, one of these solutions will work for you. The option most suitable for you will be dependent upon clinical suitability, personal preference and budget. Whichever you chose, with your gaps gone you’re certain to be eating better, looking better and smiling more!
