Calgary Dentist Explains Tooth Replacement Options
Missing a tooth or multiple teeth can be embarrassing. Not only can it hinder your confidence and self-esteem, but missing teeth can also cause an assortment of issues with your bite and contribute to tooth decay, speech issues, and a variety of oral health issues. Aside from that, it also prevents you from enjoying your favorite foods and impacts your overall quality of life. Thankfully, there are many tooth replacement options available that can provide long-term solutions to missing teeth and even secure loose and ill-fitting dentures.
If you are missing teeth, you are not alone. Tooth replacement is fairly common in Canada. In fact, according to a study by the Canadian Dental Association, 10 percent of adults aged 18 years and up reported losing one more teeth in the previous year. In this post, we will go over a variety of options available at Inglewood Family Dental to help patients with missing teeth improve their confidence and regain their self-esteem. If you or a loved one is seeking tooth replacement options, schedule a free consultation with Calgary dentist Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh for a custom treatment plan so you can determine which option is best suited for you.
Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are one of the best solutions available for tooth replacement and securing your loose dentures. This is because a dental implant not only replicates the missing tooth but also the entire root structure, so they look and feel just like a natural tooth. Thanks to advances in dental technology, receiving dental implants is far less invasive than most people think, and can often be accomplished in a few short visits.
When consideringdental implantsor any option for tooth replacement, it’s important to act fast. The longer you wait, the more opportunity your teeth have to shift, causing further oral health issues. One of the repercussions that can happen when the tooth is gone is you can get some eruption of the tooth that’s above it. Sometimes you can get tilting of the teeth that are beside the extracted area.
Everyone has a unique circumstance. When you come in, we do a very thorough assessment and figure out what kind of repercussions you’re looking at. Some people live their entire lives with some teeth missing, and they’re totally fine, whereas some people have a much tougher time getting used to it. If you or someone you love is missing teeth and looking for a tooth replacement solution, don’t wait! The sooner you replace your missing teeth, the sooner you will have your self-confidence back and can start enjoying your smile.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer another great solution for tooth replacement. There are four main types of dental bridges. Traditional dental bridges use one fake tooth held in place by crowns on the supporting teeth, as discussed above. Cantilever bridges are very similar to traditional bridges, but they use only one supporting tooth. This is often used to replace back molars where there is only one tooth next to the open gap.
Maryland bridges work a little differently and do not require the use of crowns on the adjoining teeth. In this case, the pontic is held in place by a metal or porcelain framework that is bonded to the adjacent teeth. While this method does not require the filing down and crowns of adjacent teeth, it is not as stable as a traditional crown and may not stay in place.
The final bridge option is an implant-supported bridge. This is beneficial when you have more than one missing tooth creating a gap. Dental implants are surgically put in place and the bridge consists of a pontic in between the implanted teeth. These implants are extremely secure and provide a long-lasting tooth replacement solution.
Dentures
Dentures are another great option for tooth replacement. Traditional dentures are made and placed in your mouth after you have had all your teeth removed and your gums have had time to heal completely. This method means you could have several months without teeth. Immediate dentures are molded and made before your teeth are removed. Once the dentist removes all of your teeth, the denture is put in place. This allows for no time without teeth, though you may need to go in for adjustments to the denture as your gums heal.
With either denture option, it can take time to adjust to your new full denture. It may feel awkward. You may find eating difficult as well as speaking. With new dentures and any tooth-replacement option, you can experience soreness as your gums and mouth become used to them. You can often experience increased saliva flow for the first few days as your mouth adjusts. All these changes will go away in time as you adjust to the new dentures.
We hope this helps you understand the variety of options available to those suffering tooth loss. However, since everyone is unique, it is always best to consult with an experienced Calgary dentist to determine which option may be best suited to your specific needs. At Inglewood Family Dental, we offer free consultations for all new patients and would be happy to provide a customized treatment plan to help you make an informed decision about your oral health.