Options For Missing Teeth

Missing teeth are not socially acceptable. So, people with missing teeth can feel self-conscious about their appearance or speaking in public. The options to choose to replace a missing tooth depends on a number of different factors. The factors to consider include cost, time, longevity, comfort, esthetics, convenience, and the effects of the treatment on the adjacent teeth and the rest of the mouth. The four basic options given below can be done to replace missing teeth.

• Removable partial denture
• Fixed bridge
• Dental implant

The Removable Partial Denture

The most inexpensive tooth replacement option is the acrylic removable partial denture. Removal dentures have some advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages:

• Cheaper in the short term
• If broken or damaged, partial dentures are easier to repair compared with bridges, complete and overdentures

Disadvantages:

• The denture is not fixed.
• Chewing function is restricted.
• Precautions should be taken to while eating. Eating hard food is avoided.
• The poor fit of the denture can lead to painful pressure points.
• Because of the lack of bone stimulation, this can shrink and further worsen denture fit.
• Speech can be impaired by poorly fitting dentures.
• The sense of taste can be impaired.
• Self-confidence and quality of life can be impaired.

For those people who have no teeth, full dentures are used to provide a functioning set of teeth. With this solution, the new teeth are borne by a gum-colored acrylic base.The oldest useful complete denture appeared in Japan, and has been traced to the ganjyoji temple in Kii Province, Japan. It was a wooden denture made of Buxus microphylla, and used by Nakaoka Tei (20 April 1538). This wooden denture had almost the same shape as modern dentures retained by suction. It also shaped to cover each condition of teeth loss. Wooden dentures were used in Japan up until the Meiji period.

The Fixed Bridge

The fixed bridge or prosthesis is the next tooth replacement option we can have. A fixed bridge requires prepartion of tooth structure, that is cutting down, the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Tooth preparation of the adjacent teeth is irreversible and involves the removal of quite a bit of tooth structure.  A well made fixed bridge can look natural, function well, and potentially last a lifetime. There are different materials used for preparation of crowns are stainless, metal ceramic, full ceramic, Zirconia. 

The Dental Implant

The dental implant can be the best method for replacing a missing tooth in most cases.  It involves surgically placing a titanium artificial root (the implant) into the bone that the root of the lost tooth occupied.  A crown is then connected to the implant. One benefit of this tooth replacement method is that the adjacent teeth are left unaltered.  The dental implant and its crown are a free-standing self-supporting total tooth replacement.

They offer longevity. Implants are very durable and designed to last many years and also improves speech and appearance. They support good oral health. But they are the most expensive dental surgery available. They involve a very time-consuming procedure if many implants are placed.

Tooth loss due to tooth decay and gum disease may be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene, and regular check-ups once in six months at the dentist's office.