Due to cavities and gum disease, at least 7 percent of people in the US have lost at least one tooth. Some people have lost more. Not only do missing teeth leave people with self-esteem issues, but it can also cause lasting health problems. The good news is that almost everyone has tooth replacement options.
There are dental implants, bridges, dentures, and crowns. Continue reading to learn what each one can do for your smile.
Dental Implants
Georgetown Dental implants are a tooth replacement option that can suit the needs of most. Once in place, they fuse with the jawbone to act as a synthetic tooth root.
Out of all the different replacement options, dental implants in Georgetown, KY best mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. They’re commonly made with titanium, but there are other materials available.
While they are a lifelong and permanent solution for tooth loss, they’re also the most expensive option. Since they involve surgery, there’s always a risk of infection.
There are three types of implants. These are endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic. Each one comes with a different installation method and a set of pros and cons.
Endosteal
Endosteal implants are the most common. They work for most patients as long as they have a healthy jawbone to work with.
Your Georgetown dentist will place metal rods in your jawbone. Once the bone is allowed to fuse to the rod, the new false teeth will go on top.
Subperiosteal
If you don’t have a healthy jawbone or you don’t like the idea of something being fused into your bone, subperiosteal will be the next best option.
Instead of going into the bone, your dentist will place the rods on top. They will go right under the gum. Once the gum heals around the implant, the false teeth will go next.
Zygomatic
Zygomatic implants are the least common option because the installation process can be complex. A dentist office in Georgetown will only install them when no other implant option will work. Instead of going into the patient’s jawbone, the implant fuses into the cheekbone.
Implant Supported Bridge
If you’re missing several teeth in a row, replacing each one individually is both expensive and unnecessary. Your dentist will most likely decide to do an implanted supported bridge instead.
In this case, only the teeth at the end are secured with an implant. The middle teeth aren’t. Like regular implants, they provide a natural look that will give you confidence in your smile.
The downside is that this implant option isn’t permanent. You’ll have to have them replaced down the line. The installation process also requires several dental appointments.
Tooth-Supported Bridge
This bridge uses your remaining teeth to support the replacement instead of implants. The results are just as natural looking. Since there’s no surgery involved, the recovery time is much faster.
A tooth-supported bridge is also cheaper than implants. The teeth adjacent to the missing ones will receive the crowns, which can cause issues. First, the teeth have to be filed down to accommodate the replacement.
If the crowns aren’t placed the right way, the teeth receiving them will become weaker. Food particles can also get trapped under the bridge. This can lead to infections and bone loss due to being hard to clean.
Fixed Bridges
Fixed bridges are cemented in place, so only a dentist can remove them. They are cheaper than regular implants, but putting them in does require multiple office visits.
During the first visit, the dentist will make an impression of your mouth. They’ll then get the surrounding teeth ready for the fixed bridge. The second appointment is the actual placing of the bridge.
On top of being affordable, fixed bridges will provide you with the most natural bite.
Dentures
Dentures are a set of fake teeth attached to a base that slips on over your natural gums. You can hold them in place with clips or denture adhesive. At night, you can remove and clean them.
Having dentures will require you to make regular trips to the dentist. As time goes on, your mouth shape will change. Your dentures have to be changed along with it.
Out of all the replacement options we’ve been over, dentures are the most affordable. They’re also a great option for someone who doesn’t wish to or can’t undergo dental surgeries. There’s a wide range of denture options to choose from.
Full Dentures
These are also called complete dentures. They’re designed to replace a whole row of teeth.
They’re supported by your jawbone or the roof of your mouth. Again, most people hold them in with adhesive. You can remove them at night and soak them.
Partial Dentures
If you’re not missing all your teeth, partial dentures may suit your purposes. They use your gums for support, but they also contain clasps that allow them to hook to your remaining teeth. This gives them the natural stability needed for you to chew.
Immediate Dentures
If you’ve had a tooth extraction, you may need dentures right after surgery. That’s what immediate dentures are for.
In most cases, these dentures aren’t permanent. Your dentist will replace them with your actual dentures once your mouth recovers from the extraction.
Implant-Retained Dentures
Implant-retained dentures snap onto dental implants. It’s due to this that they offer more stability than traditional dentures. Like with regular full dentures, you can take these out at night to soak them.
Crowns
If you’re experiencing extreme tooth decay, but the infected tooth isn’t gone yet, crowns may act as a replacement for the parts of the tooth you’ve lost. It’s a permanent covering that’s placed over the entire visible parts of the tooth. This gives it stability and restores its appearance.
Schedule Your Tooth Replacement With a Georgetown Dentist
Missing teeth can impact a person’s self-esteem and lead to lasting health issues. The good news is there are tooth replacement options available.
At Thompson Family & Implant Dentistry, we offer the best in implant technology. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
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