Your Options To Replace Missing teeth

What are your options for replacing missing teeth?

The biggest concern for many people missing a tooth or teeth is how their smile looks.

But, it can also affect the alignment of your other teeth, speech, ability to chew and how your jaw bone looks. 

Whether teeth are missing because of gum disease, injury, tooth decay or anything else, it can have negative physical and emotional effects on you. 

In this post, we’ll share with you some options for replacing missing teeth, including:

• Dental Implants 
• Implant-Supported Bridges 
• Tooth Supported Bridges
• Removable Partial Dentures
• Flipper (Temporary Partial Dentures)
• Not Replacing The Tooth or Teeth (Leaving A Gap)

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing teeth. They look and feel like real teeth, and if looked after, they’ll last a lifetime.

In a dental implant procedure, metal screws are used to replace the roots of your teeth.

The metal screws are then used as an anchor for your new implants.

The process takes a few months to heal, but once it’s done, it’s one of the most effective ways to replace missing teeth.  

At our clinic, we offer a range of dental implants depending on your needs for replacing a tooth. These include:

• Single-tooth implant 
• Same day teeth
• Multiple tooth implants 
• Full arch implants 
• Implant retained dentures 

Pros & Cons of Dental Implants

As with any dental treatment, there are pros and cons, and it’s best to know them before you make a decision.

Here are some of the pros and cons of having dental implants to replace missing teeth. 

Pros

• Look and feel like real teeth.
• Don’t require any work to be done on healthy teeth.
• They are a permanent solution, requiring no check-ups or replacement.
• Eat & chew with ease.
• Prevents bone loss from missing teeth.
• Easy to look after.

Cons

• They can be very expensive
• Because of the nature of the surgery (invasive screwing into the jawbone), there is a long healing time and a possibility of infection. 
• Implants can fail

Implant-supported bridge 

If you want to replace multiple missing teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge is a good option.

Instead of replacing each tooth with an implant, only the two furthest apart are anchored in place. This option requires less invasive surgery and still delivers great results.

Pros & Cons of Implant-Supported Bridges

Read these pros and cons of having an implant-supported bridge to replace a missing tooth or teeth. 

Pros

• The bridge is just as strong as a dental implant and requires less invasive surgery. 
• They look real.
• The implants that are put in will help prevent bone loss from the jaw. 

Cons

• They are not permanent and will need to be replaced occasionally. 
• Having an implant-supported bridge will require multiple visits to the dentist. 

Tooth-Supported Bridge

If you want to replace teeth in-between healthy teeth, a tooth-supported bridge is a great option.

A crown is put on the two teeth on either side of the missing teeth and cemented in place.

The tooth-supported bridge is then held in place by the healthy teeth on each side of the missing tooth or teeth. 

Pros & Cons of Tooth Supported Bridge

Before you go for this option to replace your missing tooth or teeth, read these pros and cons. 

Pros

• Realistic look and feel.
• No surgery or bone grafting required
• Cheaper than dental implants
• Faster than other options

Cons

• Healthy teeth will need to be filed to fit crowns to them. This can lead to infection later in life. 
• The teeth supporting the bridge can become damaged if the bridge isn’t fit right. 
• Food particles can get stuck under the bridge, which can lead to infection and other dental issues. 
• Bridges don’t last as long as implants and will need to be replaced occasionally. 

Removable Partial Dentures

Removable dentures are a far less invasive method of replacing teeth.

A mould is made of your mouth, and a partial denture is made from this; the mould is held in place by gripping on to the structure of your teeth and gums. 

Pros & Cons of Removable Partial Dentures 

Removable partial dentures are one of the cheapest and most simple methods for replacing missing teeth.

Here are some pros and cons of this option. 

Pros

• Cheapest option for replacing missing teeth
• Prevents teeth moving and facial structure change
• Improves chewing and speech
• Easy to fix and replace
• Simple application with no invasive surgery required. 
• Additional teeth can be added to the removable partial denture if you lose teeth in the future. 

Cons

• Can be uncomfortable
• Must be removed and cleaned every day and also removed whilst sleeping
• Do not look or feel as natural as other options like implants. 
• If the denture does not fit right, it can cause problems with your bite, traumatise your teeth and put unnecessary force on your healthy teeth. 

Flipper Tooth (Temporary Partial Denture)

A flipper tooth, also known as a removable partial denture, is a great way to achieve a realistic-looking tooth to replace a missing tooth.

It fits along the roof of your mouth or on your lower jaw and usually clips to existing teeth in your mouth.

This is designed to be a temporary fix until you find a more suitable, permanent option.

Although, some people are happy to use a flipper as a permanent solution. 

Pros & Cons of a Flipper Tooth

Read these pros and cons of getting a flipper tooth to replace a missing tooth. 

Pros

• A very cheap option in comparison to other options
• Looks real
• Can be made very Quickly
• Doesn’t require surgery
• Easy to use
• Stabilizes your other teeth.

Cons

• Not very durable, will likely need replacement at some point. 
• Can feel uncomfortable in your mouth
• Some people are allergic to the materials used to make flippers
• Reduces the flow of saliva to the gums around the flipper, which can result in gum recession
• May loosen over time

Do Nothing – Leave The Gap

Some people think that the only issue with a missing tooth is how it looks.

Leaving a gap won’t kill you, but it may cause issues with your other teeth moving and change how your face looks.

If you have lost a tooth, you should consult a dentist. 

Which Option For Replacing Missing Teeth Do You Like Best?

Now you know some of the most common options for replacing missing teeth, which one do you think you will choose?

You should always consult a professional dentist who will advise you on the best option for your circumstances.

If you’ve lost a tooth or teeth, book an appointment with us today, and we’ll help you find a solution for your missing tooth or teeth.