Dealing with tooth loss? It often has a bigger impact than just on your smile. You might experience trouble chewing, alteration of bite, or avoidance of certain foods depending on location of the missing tooth. As time goes on, the teeth adjacent to the opening may also move, altering your bite.
But guess what: having a missing tooth doesn’t mean you have only one treatment option. There are a number of options available for replacing missing teeth in modern dentistry, depending on the specific circumstances, including the location of the missing tooth, oral health, jaw condition, and budget. Remember, it’s important to be informed about your options before making a final decision so you can have a conversation with your dentist and select a treatment that works for you and your lifestyle.
Here are a few options to treat a missing tooth.
Dental Implants
One of the most extensive solutions for missing teeth is a dental implant. Unlike the replacement of the visible crown, an implant has a small post that is inserted into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. After the implant’s successful healing and fusion with bone, a dental crown is placed over it to complete the restoration. Dental implants provide a fixed replacement without requiring neighboring teeth to support the restoration. They can also help maintain the structure of the jawbone around the implant site. However, implant treatment requires adequate bone and healthy gums, and the process involves a healing period. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and make appropriate imaging before deciding if you are an appropriate candidate.
Removable Partial Denture
For one or more missing teeth, you can get a removable partial denture without an implant. It consists of false teeth attached to a base that covers your natural teeth and gums. Depending on the design it can be held in place by little clasps or other attachments.
The flexibility is one of the biggest advantages. The partial denture is a solution for replacing multiple missing teeth and is usually less complex than some fixed options. And you can take it off when you sleep, or when you clean. But it is removable, so it may feel different from your natural teeth at first. Your dentist will decide if a partial denture is right for you. They’ll look at things like how many teeth you’re missing, where they’re located and the condition of the teeth you still have.
Resin Bonded Bridges
A resin-bonded bridge, or Maryland bridge, is another option for replacing a missing tooth without full preparation of the adjacent teeth. Instead of full crowns, the replacement tooth is attached to small support “wings” that are attached to the back of nearby teeth. This choice can be tempting, as it may require less preparation, if the neighboring teeth are otherwise healthy. And it can be a fixed replacement, so you don’t have to take it out like a traditional removable denture. However, resin-bonded bridges may not be appropriate in all situations in the mouth. Whether it’s acceptable depends on how much biting force is in the area, the condition of the teeth supporting it, and your own bite.
Tooth Auto Transplantation
Tooth autotransplantation is a procedure where a natural tooth is moved into the place of a missing tooth. During the procedure, a suitable tooth (often one that is not necessary in its current position) is gently moved to the area where a replacement tooth is missing. Then the transplanted tooth is put in its new space and allowed time to settle.
One of the greatest advantages is that the substitute is your own natural tooth, not an artificial tooth. Once it’s healed properly, it can look natural and function like a regular tooth. Tooth autotransplantation is however indicated only in selected cases. Other factors like the size and shape of the tooth being transferred, the condition of the area of reception, the age of the patient and the development of the tooth can affect whether this is a good option or not.