When you’re missing multiple teeth, it isn’t just about how your smile looks. Depending on their location, your missing teeth could make it more difficult to eat and speak. Without treatment, the portion of your jaw below the missing teeth will lose bone mass over time. As a result, your face may begin to sag, making your look much older and further complicating your everyday life. Fortunately, there are several options that you may consider to improve your quality of life and prevent some of the more negative side effects of tooth loss. All of your options for replacing multiple teeth start at your local dentist’s office.
Options for Replacing Multiple Teeth
Below you will find the best options for replacing multiple teeth. At the best cosmetic dentist Bloomington has to offer, you can find all these options.
Option #1: A Partial Denture
Dentures aren’t what they were fifty years ago. A qualified dentist uses impressions to create a realistic partial denture. These fit tightly over the gums, and they are specifically designed to blend in with the rest of your teeth. A customized partial denture will easily stay in place while you eat and speak, so there’s not need to worry about potentially embarrassing moments.
A partial denture is a great way to replace missing teeth without surgery. It won’t necessarily prevent future bone loss, but it can help to support facial muscles. The support helps prevent the skin and muscle from sagging downward, preserving the natural shape of your face. Patients who take care of their partial dentures and have the fit adjusted by their dentist as needed can enjoy all of the same activities as before their tooth loss.
Option #2: A Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a small group of prosthetic teeth supported by natural teeth, crowns, or implants on either side. In all three cases, the anchors on either side are under increased strain, especially during chewing. As a result, many dentists agree that using natural teeth as anchors is only a temporary solution. It is usually in the patient’s best interest to have the supporting teeth crowned at the very least to give them additional support. In most cases, replacing two of the missing teeth with dental implants is the best long-term choice for the patient. Call us to learn more about the highest-quality dental bridges Bloomington has.
Dental implants are directly rooted in the jaw bone itself. Having one on either side of the bridge provides the remaining prosthetic teeth with unparalleled support. However, the process of receiving dental implants can be lengthy, especially if a bone graft is required. You can discuss the timeline with your dentist after they have reviewed your x-rays. From there, you may decide whether crowns or implants are the right choice for your anchors.
Option #3: Dental Implants
Dental implants can be costly when multiple teeth have to be replaced, but they are definitely the best solution for patients looking to the future. The implant post is drilled directly into the jawbone, allowing the implant to fully mimic your natural teeth. This means that you are far less likely to experience bone loss and the accompanying facial sagging.
Keep in mind that dental implants require multiple visits over a period of months. If you have already experienced significant atrophy in the jaw bone, then your oral surgeon will be required to perform a bone graft prior to placing the implant. Synthetic materials that mimic bone are usually used unless the patient requests otherwise. Still, it can take several months for the graft to fully integrate depending on the age and general health of the patient.
Choosing What’s Right for You
When you’re deciding what treatment option is right for you, consider these three factors:
- Cost
- Treatment Time
- Likelihood that the Procedure will Need to Be Repeated
Ask your dentist at Valley Alder for their honest, professional opinion, and feel free to ask questions in order to help make the best decision for you.
