Tooth Replacement Options
Madison, AL
 When you have lost some of your teeth, at Singing River Dentistry, we always advise that you get them replaced. The earlier you replace teeth, the better, as you may avert many repercussions associated with tooth loss.
Different options are available to replace missing teeth. You can re-establish the function of your bite and restore the aesthetics and health of your smile.
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Understanding Tooth Loss and Replacement
Elements like tooth decay, gum disease, caries, and trauma can leave people without their natural teeth. After your natural teeth are lost, you can only replace them. We are gifted in life with only one set of permanent teeth, and if they are lost, they cannot regrow. Instead, there must be an alternative used.
The Impact of Missing Teeth
When missing teeth, you risk losing the remaining ones. The bone that holds the tooth roots begins to shrink, weakening the surrounding teeth. In the first year alone, you could be losing up to 25 percent of your jawbone due to missing teeth. It is important to replace a single tooth and imperative to replace multiple teeth.
The remaining teeth start shifting toward the empty spaces, causing bite or teeth misalignment. Your oral hygiene becomes difficult to maintain because bacteria, biofilm, and leftovers get stuck in the gaps, risking the development of gum disease and cavities.
Dental Bridges
One of the options patients have for replacing lost teeth is a dental bridge. You can think of dental bridgework as a restoration that bridges the gap left by missing teeth with new artificial teeth.
How Dental Bridges Work
A dentist mounts the bridge on the nearby teeth just adjacent to the space where the lost teeth were before. Those adjacent teeth are referred to as abutment teeth and provide the support needed for the dental bridge. A dentist files down the abutment teeth, making sufficient space where the crowns providing support will be mounted.
Advantages of Dental Bridges for Tooth Replacement
A dental bridge is affixed to the adjacent teeth, so the bridgework is not removable. It restores chewing function, speech, and the look of the smile. The tooth replacement will look natural. You can replace a single tooth or two or three teeth with a bridge.
Dentures: Removable Tooth Replacement
For those seeking another option for replacing missing teeth, dentures are a perfect fit. Dentures replace upper and lower teeth and are crafted from acrylic, metal, porcelain, or resin. Traditional dentures are designed to rest on the gums. They may be held in place by suction force, or they may be fitted with an adhesive.
Types of Dentures
When you visit us, we will explain and show you the different types of dentures. There are partials, which involve replacing a few missing or lost teeth. Additionally, there are full dentures that are fabricated to replace a whole arch of teeth, either the lower, upper, or both arches.
Benefits of Dentures for Tooth Replacement
Wearing dentures allows you to improve your chewing function. You can eat foods normally, but ensure you avoid very hard or crunchy foods or objects because they can damage the dentures. Further, dentures elevate your facial look and allow you to speak more clearly than you can when missing teeth. Last but not least, dentures ensure better nutrition due to improvement in chewing function.
FAQs about Tooth Replacement
Here are a few FAQs that patients present to us when seeking tooth replacement for lost teeth.
Is Tooth Replacement a Painful Procedure?
Getting teeth replaced is not painful. Even though surgery or filing down of teeth may be involved, the procedure usually does not hurt. We utilize anesthetic as well as sedation dentistry for a calm, comfortable, and pain-free treatment.
How Long Do Bridges and Dentures Last?
Bridges last about five to 15 years. Dentures last about seven to 10 years.
Call Your Madison Dentist Today and Make a Plan to Replace Missing Teeth!
To learn more about tooth replacement options and which one works for your particular case, contact us at Singing River Dentistry. Call us at 256 - 562 - 4001 to book an appointment.
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