Losing a tooth when you’re young is an exciting event, but losing one when you’re an adult isn’t nearly as fun. In fact, it can have an extremely detrimental effect on your oral health, not to mention the aesthetics of your smile.
However, losing a tooth doesn’t mean that you’re out of options. Here are three common solutions that could help return your mouth to nearly perfect condition:
However, losing a tooth doesn’t mean that you’re out of options. Here are three common solutions that could help return your mouth to nearly perfect condition:
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1) Partial denture
A partial denture is a removable appliance that can replace anywhere from one to many of your teeth. (A full denture would replace all of your teeth) The denture will look like your natural tooth or teeth, but many have a metal framework that makes them very strong. Consequently, you’ll still be able to chew more or less like you normally would, though you might need to avoid especially sticky foods. Dentures - either full or partial - are usually taken out once a day for cleaning and left out of the mouth while sleeping. |
Two different kinds of partial dentures
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2) Bridge
If you only need to replace a single tooth, a bridge may be a good choice. Unlike a denture, a bridge is permanent and never comes out of the mouth, though you will need to floss underneath it. The artificial tooth attaches to the neighboring teeth and looks just like the real thing, which means that the prosthetic will blend in with the rest of your smile. This is a great option when you have healthy teeth on either side of the gap, where there is a missing tooth. |
Before, After, and the actual bridge
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3) Implant
An implant may be your best option when you lost a single tooth, depending on the location and extent of the damage. It looks like a real tooth, but unlike the bridge, it doesn’t touch your neighboring teeth. A metal post will be placed in the bone and a crown put on top. The implant should last a lifetime if it’s properly cared for, and most people report that they don’t even notice a difference when chewing. For more information, watch our video on this subject or call to schedule an appointment! |
What the implant looks like in the bone
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