Missing Tooth Replacement
Teeth can be lost for a variety of reasons including severe decay, gum disease, trauma or even due to being congenitally absent.
WHAT IS MISSING TOOTH REPLACEMENT?
Once a tooth (or teeth) is lost for any reason, it can be replaced with either a dental implant (a tooth for a tooth), a fixed partial denture (bridge) or a removable partial denture. A single tooth implant is a “tooth for a tooth” solution that does not take any more space as did the natural teeth. It is the first line of treatment to replace missing teeth where indicated. A denture on the other hand, takes up more space than natural teeth. A bridge involves cutting down the teeth adjacent to the space left by the lost teeth. When all teeth have been lost, they can be replaced by either implant retained fixed / removable complete dentures or just conventional removable complete dentures.
Ways to Replace Missing Teeth
Dental Implants & Crowns
- The gold standard in tooth replacement
- Can be used for single / multiple tooth replacement
- The implant replaces the root in the bone and the crown replaces the visible portion
- Nearest to nature replacement approach
- Usually undertaken in 2-3 clinical steps spread over a few months
- Lends itself to both fixed or removable tooth replacements
Ways to Replace Missing Teeth
Dental Bridges
- Fixed tooth replacement approach.
- These can be Tooth or Implant retained.
- In case of tooth retained, they involve reduction of the teeth adjacent to the empty space which is essentially damage to sound tooth structure and is therefore the biggest drawback of this approach.
- The restoration does not however, take more space than the teeth it replaces.
Ways to Replace Missing Teeth
Dentures
- Removable tooth replacement.
- Can be Partial (used to replace some teeth) or Complete (replacing all teeth).
- Can also be tooth or implant retained as well.
- Usually bulkier than the teeth they replace and may need some time for users to adapt.