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In the past, patients had limited options for replacing missing or damaged teeth. Today there are many great options to suit a variety of different patient needs. Some of the most popular choices include dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to each of these options. For this reason, it is very important that you speak with a qualified dentist to go over your options based upon your individual needs and dental health. But before you do that, here is a brief review of the three most popular options for tooth replacement.
Dental Implants
Background
- Dental implants have been around since the mid-1980s
- This is usually the primary and best choice for permanently replacing a missing tooth.
- Implants are made of titanium, so there is less chance of rejection by the tissues in your body.
- Dental implants have an approximately 95 percent success rate and can last for many decades when cared for properly.
Benefits
- Patients can stick to their normal oral hygiene routine.
- Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that can stop or reduce jawbone deterioration that happens over time when teeth are missing.
- This option allows patients to eat what they want, smile naturally, regain confidence, and speak clearly.
- Patients can look years younger when they regain a fuller facial appearance.
- Healthy surrounding teeth can stay in place better when empty spaces are permanently filled.
- Patients can regain better oral healthy, as well as overall health.
Disadvantages
- This option is usually the most expensive tooth replacement option.
- Oral surgery is required, so certain patients (like women who are pregnant) may not be able to take advantage of this option.
- Dental implants are not usually fully covered by dental insurance.
- Some patients do not have enough bone or gum tissues for an implant. In these cases, supplemental procedures are needed before dental implants can be placed.
Bridges
Background
- A bridge is a replacement tooth that is anchored to the surrounding teeth on either side, which act as the “bridge” for the replacement tooth.
- Bridges have been around for over five decades.
- If a patient has very little bone, then a fixed bridge is a good option.
- Bridges are sometimes best for patients who have loose adjacent teeth, because the bridge joins all these teeth together and provides greater strength to all of the teeth.
Benefits
- No oral surgery is required.
- Dental bridges are less expensive up front than dental implants.
- Patients can eat, smile, and speak with relative ease.
- Placing a bridge can be performed faster that a dental implant.
Disadvantages
- Cleaning above and around bridges can be challenging.
- This option must be replaced every 10 years or so.
- Bridges can become discolored and look less natural than implants.
- Once surrounding teeth are ground down for anchors to the bridge, they can never be restored to their natural state. This means sensitivity, pain, and an increased risk for tooth decay.
Dentures
Background
- Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile.
- If patients have lost some or all of their natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, this is a good option.
Benefits
- Dentures make it easier to eat and speak than patients can without teeth.
- Dentures can help fill in a sunken facial appearance and reduce some of the premature wrinkles around the mouth.
- This option can be made to closely resemble natural teeth and improve the look of your smile.
- No surgery is required.
- This is the cheapest and easiest tooth replacement option up front.
Disadvantages
- This option must be replaced every 10 years or so.
- Dentures need be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. This can add significant time to your oral hygiene routine.
- Jawbone deterioration can continue or worsen while patients use dentures. This can cause the face to flatten out and look prematurely aged.
- This is the least comfortable option since patients can experience slippage, movement, and sore spots.
- Patients may have difficulty eating certain foods or speaking clearly.
Come Explore Your Options At Thornhill Periodontics
We proudly serve the Newmarket and Thornhill communities with superior services and well-priced products. If you would like to know more about payment options or what makes a good candidate, please read through the rest of our informative Dental Implants InfoSite. Alternatively, you can give us a call and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr, Schwartz today.
