If you have lost a tooth, getting the spaced filled as soon as possible is very important in maintaining your long-term oral health. There are several tooth replacement options to choose from.
When the space left behind by a missing tooth is not promptly filled, the surrounding teeth can shift out of their proper position. The supporting structures of the teeth, in particular the jaw bone, may also begin to deteriorate over time, resulting in facial collapse.
ProActive Dental Studio offers the following tooth replacement options for our patients with missing teeth:
Full & Partial Dentures
Dentures are dental appliances that replace missing teeth and the tissue surrounding them. Most dentures are removable.
Partial dentures replace a single missing tooth, or a few in a row. Full dentures replace a full upper or a full lower jaw of teeth.
Historically, dentures were made out all sorts of strange materials, such as lead, human teeth, cow teeth, and even elephant ivory. Fortunately, today we have access to better, more durable (and less weird) materials!
Today, dentures are usually made of a variety of medical grade materials; usually, different types of resin, or porcelain. The framework that supports the artificial teeth in the dentures is usually made of a rigid acrylic resin, or a flexible nylon polymer.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are similar to dentures, but they are permanently affixed to the teeth, and cannot be removed except by your dentist. Dental Bridges literally "bridge" the gap left by missing teeth.
The false teeth (pontics) in your bridge can be made of gold, porcelain, alloys, or a combination of these materials. They are attached by two or more crowns on the teeth on either side of the space, called the abutment teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are another type of permanent tooth replacements. A dental implant is essentially a tiny titanium rod that is implanted into the jawbone, which functions as a tooth root. This root is then capped with a dental crown.
As a whole, dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth do. With proper care, they’ll last you a lifetime.