Replace that missing tooth

Which tooth is an implant?

Only an x-ray can tell

Factors beyond our control like sporting injuries, accidents and hereditary defects, can cause us to lose a tooth prematurely. With new techniques and technology, your dentist now has several options available that can correct this problem.

Solutions can be either removable or permanently fixed in place and your options depend on which tooth is missing and the strength of the supporting bone and teeth adjacent to the missing tooth.

Dentures are the best known removable options for replacing teeth. Dentures use a replica or false tooth to fill the gap left by a missing tooth. Dentures rely on suction retention on the palate (roof of your mouth), gravity retention and/or anchored retention (clasps) to remain in position.

Dentures provide support to the gums and bone where the tooth is missing, support chewing and maintain appearance. One of the advantages with dentures is that none of your other teeth are altered in shape or size. Disadvantages include learning to adapt to placing the denture, altered speech in the beginning and care in cleaning the denture outside of the mouth.

Dentures also have a tendency to accumulate food around them that can lead to further decay and gum problems.

Fixed options offer all day stability in chewing and aesthetics. A well known fixed method of replacing a missing tooth is with a bridge. As the name suggests, a bridge uses the teeth on one or both sides of the missing tooth as support for a replacement tooth. There are three distinct types of bridgework that can be used and each has advantages and disadvantages that will be fully explained by your dentist if this is considered the best option. In each case, the health of the supporting teeth must be considered.

A 3-unit bridge

The most conservative fixed solution is a single tooth, surgically placed, dental implant. Implants feature an embedded titanium post fitted with a porcelain crown constructed to look like a natural tooth. New technologies are bringing this option to the forefront often with the availability of immediate placement, where it previously required a period of three months to a year before treatment was completed.

If you have a missing tooth, your dentist will examine your full mouth in order to determine your exact situation and offer the best options to replace that missing tooth.