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Have a Missing Tooth? These are the Best Replacement Options

Jun 08, 2021
Teeth are firm, resistant structures found in the mouth used for biting and chewing food. An average adult would have thirty-two teeth in the mouth unless they lost one accidentally or had it removed due to tooth decay.

Teeth are firm, resistant structures found in the mouth used for biting and chewing food. An average adult would have thirty-two teeth in the mouth unless they lost one accidentally or had it removed due to tooth decay. When you have a toothache, you need to see a dentist to understand the best treatment. Everyone gets advised to brush their teeth at least twice a day to avoid and prevent tooth diseases that will, in turn, cause a missing tooth. You should have a healthy eating habit and avoid sugary things to elude tooth cavity, which leads to toothaches and tooth removal. It will help if you visit the dentist frequently to ensure you have healthy teeth and gums to help prevent you from having a stinking breath. If you lose a tooth for one reason or another, these are some replacement options for you.

1. Dental Implants

The most common way to replace your tooth is through getting dental implants because they look and feel so natural, just like a normal tooth. When a dentist does this procedure, you get an anesthetic injection to numb your jaw, and then metal frames are installed into the jawbone underneath the gums. The process may take long because the dentist won’t install the tooth until the wound from the metal rods heals entirely. A permanent base provides a strong foundation for the tooth and ensures the tooth stays firm once installed. Since it is more like having a natural tooth, it will be expensive, but the benefits you get from it are worth every penny. This procedure majorly gets done on people whose jaw structure has fully developed and don’t have any underlying medical conditions that will affect the healing process. Dental implants are a good option for getting a permanent solution and having a natural-looking tooth.

2. Removable Partial Dentures

People are prone to accidents in their everyday lives, but we all try our best to be safe and avoid getting injuries in our bodies. Sometimes, you get toothaches that lead to teeth removal, or you may eat something that ends up breaking off your tooth. Partial dentures get used when you are only missing some of your teeth, and it provides a good solution while not interfering with your other teeth. Partial dentures have a life span of eight to ten years without needing any repairs. Before getting these dentures, you need to talk with your dentist, get a medical test to ensure you are healthy and your jawbone is strong enough to withstand the procedure. The jaw structure will play a massive part in ensuring that the ridges absorb the metal rods and stay fit for many years without any medical attention.

3. Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures get done using dentures and implants to develop a permanent solution for a missing tooth. The titanium screws are surgically implanted in the patient’s jawbones to give the denture base. It can be a lengthy process lasting between five to six months because before the installation, the dentist needs to conduct tests to ensure the jawbones are healthy enough for the procedure. When the wound from the screw installation heals, the dentist then places a unique set of dentures on top, fitting it with the screws to keep them fit and firm. These dentures are good for eating and chewing food, and you do not need to remove them when you eat. They require you to take care of them to ensure they are clean the same way you do the natural teeth, by brushing at least twice a day and gargling some mouth wash.

4. Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge

You can get a tooth replacement through the implant-supported fixed bridge when you have a missing tooth. You can use it to restore more than one tooth, even when a tooth is arched. Visit your dentist to know how well this procedure will work for you, depending on the number of teeth you want to get restored. When all the titanium screws get installed, the dentist will use resin to cover the holes left behind so that they are not visible. The results will leave you with natural-looking teeth that you can use to eat anything without them getting loose and having a risk of falling off. If they are maintained well through the normal process of oral hygiene, they can last for a very long time before needing any replacement. You can get best dental care in Scottsdale az, from some of the most qualified and professional dentists.

5. Removable Partial Denture

It is a less expensive way of tooth replacement and has minor procedures. It gets done by having a partial denture designed using an acrylic base, and it is strengthened using cobalt metal to replace the lost tooth. The dentist will fit some metal scraps over your teeth to support the dentures and ensure they don’t fall out. To make the dentures more natural, your dentist will use flexible nylon to make them less visible in the mouth. This kind of tooth replacement is very effective because when installed, they stay in place, and at the same time, they are easy to remove. The procedure is less invasive and takes the shortest time. With removable partial dentures, you have an advantage. Ideally, it is because if you experience another tooth loss, you can add another too to the dentures without much difficulty.

In conclusion, having a missing tooth is not the end of your smiling days. You can visit your dentist and get to know the best way to get a tooth replacement. While there’s the option of doing nothing, this will make your jaw structure change and disposition your existing teeth, potentially affecting your mouth function. There are so many ways you can get your smile back and eat all the food you love without the worry of always being picky with what you eat. While the restoration of a missing tooth may cost you some money, the results are worth every penny.