When you feel good about your smile, it shows, and it affects how others perceive you. A healthy smile that you share readily with the world makes you appear happier, friendlier, more confident and more successful. Unfortunately, trauma, periodontal disease and other dental dilemmas can cause tooth loss. The resulting gaps in your grin can leave you reluctant to smile freely, interfere with your ability to chew and impact your speech. You don’t have to accept this. There are affordable tooth replacement options that can restore your smile. And, in some cases, make it better than it was before.
There are three main types of tooth replacement options.
Dental Implants
Many people consider dental implants the gold standard for tooth replacement options. With this method, an artificial tooth root crafted from surgical-grade titanium is surgically implanted into the jaw and used to support either an artificial tooth or a dental appliance like a bridge.
Why do implants get so much respect? Strong, stable and built to last for a lifetime with proper care, they restore function, allowing patients to chew and speak normally. They also create a natural appearance. As an added bonus, dental implants help avert the bone loss in the jaw that often results from missing teeth. Over time, this bone loss can alter the shape of the face, so opting for implants both restores your smile and helps to ensure that you continue to look like you.
Fixed Bridges
When teeth are missing, a fixed dental bridge can be another alternative worth considering. A non-removable dental appliance that produces the look of healthy teeth, it is a clever way to restore your smile when one or more teeth are missing from your smile. Here, artificial teeth that match the natural teeth are affixed to a bridge. Then, two or more crowns are attached to neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place.
A fixed dental bridge can fill in the gap left behind after teeth are lost, prevent other teeth from shifting, restore the ability to chew, and prevent changes in speech or facial shape. A top-quality bridge will last for years, but it can leave the patient vulnerable to bone loss in the jaw. It may also require grinding down healthy teeth to attach the crowns.
Full or Partial Dentures
When people first get full or partial dentures, they experience discomfort, slipping and changes in speech. However, a quality denture that is properly fitted will reduce these issues and provide a natural-looking grin and a functional bite. While loss of bone in the jaw may be a problem over time, denture wearers will discover that this option for tooth replacement can help them maintain the natural shape of their face and give them a beautiful smile.
With multiple tooth replacement options available, how do you know which one is best for you? Let the dental professionals at Wekiva Dental help. With nearly three decades of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry, we’re committed to providing you with gentle, customized dental care. If you are concerned about your smile, contact us today at 407-869-7333 to schedule a consultation.