Have you lost teeth due to injury or decay? If so, you’d probably like to restore your smile, but want to explore your options before making a decision.
Do I Need a Consultation to Have Missing Teeth Replaced?
Yes, you will need a consultation prior to having missing teeth replaced. This allows us to make a recommendation, based on your health, dental history, and budget, on which option would be best to replace your teeth. A consultation gives us the opportunity to answer any questions you may have about the replacement procedure, so you’ll feel comfortable moving forward.
Why Should I Have Missing Teeth Replaced?
For each missing tooth, you lose approximately 10% of your ability to chew food. To conserve your comfort and ability to consume all types of food, you should consider taking action to replace your missing teeth.
Additionally, there is a complex relationship between your teeth, gums, and jaw bone. When you lose teeth, your gums and bone aren’t sufficiently stimulated, which causes the jaw bone to shrink, and gums to recede. Once this occurs, nearby teeth start to migrate into the gaps. Furthermore, these teeth are more prone to decay because they’re not aligned properly.
These physical changes can also alter a person’s appearance, often causing them to look older. Missing teeth can make cheeks appear hollow and saggy, because they are no longer stabilized from the inside of the mouth. For some people, this experience has a negative impact on their self-esteem and self-confidence.
What Options Do I Have for Replacing Missing Teeth?
There are 4 primary options for replacing your missing teeth:
- Fixed Bridges. A fixed bridge includes replacement teeth that are supported by dental crowns on surrounding teeth. The appliance is considered “fixed,” because it is cemented into place and cannot be removed.
- Full Dentures. Full dentures replace an entire row of teeth. For instance, they may replace all of your lower teeth, or all of your upper teeth. They are removable and offer a customized, dependable fit.
- Partial Dentures. Partial dentures replace a single tooth or just a few teeth. With partials, replacement teeth are attached to a gum-colored base and anchored in place, either with small metal clasps (called conventional partial dentures), or with the help of 2 dental crowns on each of the surrounding teeth (referred to as precision attachment partial dentures). Partial dentures tend to be the least expensive option for replacing missing teeth.
- Dental Implants. Many consider dental implants to be the best option for replacing teeth. During the implant procedure, an implant is fused with your jaw bone to form a solid foundation for replacement teeth. Then, an abutment is placed on top of the implant and a dental crown is affixed to it, forming a complete replacement tooth or teeth.
At your dental consultation, we’ll discuss the different options for replacing missing teeth, and make a specific recommendation based on your individual needs.
Scheduling your consultation is easy! We have 2 locations for your convenience—one in Logan and the other in Zanesville. Simply click here to access our online appointment request form. Alternatively, you can call our Logan office at 740.385.2631 or our Zanesville office at 740.452.5441.