Dental Prosthetic Options to Replace Missing Teeth

If you have teeth missing due to an injury or need teeth removed because of decay, they can be replaced by:

• Bridges
• Dentures
• Dental implants

To decide which type of dental prosthetic to use, you will need to consider how many teeth are missing and where they are located.

Bridges

A dental bridge is a partial denture that helps replace one or more missing teeth. The missing teeth can be located together on either side of a tooth or teeth or on the opposite side of the mouth. There are several types of bridges, including:

• Cantilever Bridge:This is a bridge that is used to cover the gap left by a missing tooth if there are teeth on one side of it. The bridge is fixed to the teeth so only a dentist can remove it. These bridges are usually placed at the front of the mouth and can only withstand a light amount of stress.
• Fixed Bridge:This is the most common type of bridge used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It consists of two crowns and a ponticbetween them, which replaces the tooth. The teeth on either side of the gap are prepared to be crowned and then the bridge is bonded in place.
• Resin Bonded Bridge or Maryland Bonded Bridge: Instead of using crowns, this bridge consists of a plastic false tooth that will connect to the teeth on either side of the gap with attached metal bands. The bands are held in place with either cement or resin.

Dentures

If you need to have your teeth on either the upper or lower jaw or both removed, then a dentist will order a set of dentures to replace your teeth. A mould of your teeth will be made and sent to a dental lab to make the dentures. After having your teeth removed by an oral surgeon at Sunshine Dental surgery, the dentures may be placed in your mouth right away.

If only a few teeth need to be removed, then a partial denture may be made to replace them. The partial consists of replacement plastic teeth connected by a metal band held in place by attaching the band to teeth on either side of the missing ones. A full set of dentures looks realistic with pink plastic gums and white or off-white plastic teeth.

Dental Implants

This type of prosthetic is becoming a popular option for replacing a missing tooth or teeth. A post is installed into the jaw and a plastic tooth is screwed into the post so that it resembles a real tooth. Out of all the replacement options, it is the most realistic and functions most as a real tooth does.

Whether you lost teeth due to accident or disease, these options can replace your missing teeth.