Many adults will have to deal with at least one missing tooth during their lifetime. Unfortunately, through accidents, gum disease, and other dental problems, missing teeth are more common than you might think. The good news is that there are various options for replacing a tooth today.
A lost tooth can make a person self-conscious when they smile. However, this is not merely a cosmetic issue. All the teeth in the mouth work together to hold each other in place. If one stays missing, the other teeth can shift out of place over time. This shifting movement can even affect the facial structure. Also, having all one’s teeth is necessary for optimum chewing function. In some cases, missing teeth can alter the way a person speaks as well.
The process for replacing a missing tooth varies on the method of tooth replacement agreed upon by the dentist and the patient. Here are three main options dentists offer for replacing a tooth and an overview of how each works.
A typical dental bridge is a tooth restoration that attaches to the surrounding teeth. A traditional bridge comprises a false tooth called a pontic with a dental crown on either side. The dentist cements the crowns over the teeth on either side of the space left by the missing tooth. The pontic fills and bridges the space between the two teeth. A dental bridge has a few variations, but they all work similarly.
The process usually involves two appointments. At the first appointment, the dentist will alter the teeth on either side of the space to accommodate the crowns. Then the dentist will take an impression of the area. The dentist will send this impression to a lab where the technician constructs the bridge. When the patient returns for the second appointment, the dentist checks the fit of the bridge and cements it in place.
A dental bridge is fixed in place. However, only some patients are optimal candidates for a dental bridge. A partial denture is a removable tooth replacement option that provides an alternative.
The process also involved two appointments in most cases. The first is for the exam and the impression taking, and the second is for fitting the partial denture once it is back from the lab. A partial denture is typically an acrylic and metal appliance with a false tooth. The acrylic and metal frame attach to the surrounding tooth structure while the pontic fills the space left by the lost tooth.
A dental implant is the newest method of tooth replacement and the one that most closely resembles a natural tooth. A dental implant involves planting a metal screw-like post into the jawbone covered by a porcelain dental crown. The metal screw acts like a replacement root and stimulates the jawbone preventing the bone loss associated with missing a tooth. Next, a porcelain crown tops the dental implant completing the tooth restoration. Though this missing tooth replacement option has many attractive advantages, it can involve a process that takes several months and multiple procedures to complete.
We are here to answer your questions if you need more information on missing tooth replacement. Our team regularly helps patients replace missing teeth and restore their smiles. In addition, we can discuss your options and help you decide which is best for you.
Request an appointment here: https://newyorkdmd.com or call New York DMD at (917) 284-9680 for an appointment in our New York office.
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