Three Tooth Replacement Options

When your tooth is extracted, it leaves an unwelcome gap. Some people ignore the gab, especially if it is at the back of the mouth and doesn’t affect their chewing or speech, but when the gap is near or in the front, finding a tooth replacement option can provide you with self-confidence and help you feel better about yourself.

Dental implants are one of the most common choices when it comes to tooth replacement. Implants are artificial teeth or false teeth which are screwed into the jaw, looking and feeling like natural teeth.

The implants are screwed into place using a titanium screw and topped with a crown, which matches the colour of the natural teeth around it. Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon, advised that dental implants can be used or one or more teeth. The benefit of these implants is that they don’t affect the adjacent teeth; the procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and can be used as a tooth replacement option for anyone who is in good health with a strong jawbone.

Patients who require dental implants but have damaged or worn jaw bones, may need a bone graft before this procedure can be performed. Your dentist will do x-rays and advise you of the best course of treatment moving forward.

Bridges are another option, often suggested in the event that dental implants aren’t an option based on your overall health and jaw bone health. Tariq Drabu did advise that bridges come in two options; fixed and removable. Fixed are partial dentures that can make up one or more missing teeth. The bridge is matched to your natural tooth colour and then bonded into place attaching to the adjacent teeth, this forms a bridge for the gap.

Removable bridges are partial dentures which can be removed when sleeping, cleaned and put back in place easily. The one problem some patients find with fixed bridges is that they can wear the enamel off the adjacent teeth and over time they fall out. They can be replaced quite easily in the dentist surgery.

Bridges are made from strong materials that can withstand the daily beating you put your mouth through. It can help patients maintain a healthy bite and enable them to chew, ensuring their daily life isn’t compromised.

The final tooth replacement option is dentures. These days most people try and find alternatives to wearing dentures. But in some cases they are the only option, especially if you suffer from an illness or disease which makes implants or bridges impossible. Remember bridges can only be offered if you have adjacent natural teeth that can support the bridge and implants are a tooth replacement option if you are in good health and have a strong and healthy jaw bone.

Complete dentures are used when you have no teeth. They cover the entire upper and lower jaw. In some instances if you have a few teeth, these may be removed to make space for your new dentures. The good news is that you will not be left without teeth, temporary dentures will be fitted until your new and carefully moulded dentures are ready.

Over dentures are sometimes used when you have natural or implants that can provide support. These can be used to replace a few teeth, such as front teeth that have been knocked out.

Dentures can be removed and enable you to speak and chew normally. Oral hygiene is imperative when you have been fitted with dentures, according to Dr Tariq Drabu, as gum disease is a common problem with these tooth replacement solutions caused by poor oral hygiene.