If you’ve just lost a tooth and feel like you’re all alone, don’t worry. Tooth loss is an extremely common problem that has affected humans for centuries. In fact, approximately one in four adults over the age of 65 have only eight or fewer teeth.
While missing teeth have been a problem that has decreased over the past few decades, many people want to know how to restore missing teeth in the easiest way possible. The good news is that you can fix missing teeth in a couple of different ways depending on your budget and preferences.
In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about solutions for missing teeth.
Dental Implants
One of the most common ways to replace teeth in the modern era is by selecting dental implants. These are a type of tooth replacement that has proven to be very reliable over the last several decades.
Dental implants look like real teeth and feel like them too. They can be a permanent solution if you’re looking to replace a single tooth or if you want to replace an entire row of teeth.
Unfortunately, the downside to dental implants is that the process of installing them can be somewhat time-consuming. There need to be several months of preparations to make sure that the jaw is healthy enough to have a tooth implant placed.
If you’re interested in dental implants, it’s best to talk to your dentist to see if this is a good option for you. There may be better tooth replacement options depending on your goals.
Implant-Supported Bridges
Implant-supported bridges work very well when you’ve lost multiple missing teeth in a single row.
Some people might think they have to go through a lengthy process of replacing each and every tooth with a dental implant. However, you can use an implant to support an entire bridge of teeth where only the endpoints are secured into the jaw.
This keeps the teeth in between the two endpoints in place without the need for additional screws.
Removable Partial Dentures
This type of denture is a much easier and overall simpler option that some people use to replace missing teeth. They function similarly to dental implants, however, they can be removed easily. They are best for individuals who have only lost a few missing teeth.
Flipper
A flipper is a temporary denture that can be flipped in or out of position. It’s not dependent on nearby teeth and has an overall less secure base. Because a flipper can be uncomfortable, it is usually only a temporary measure.
How to Replace Missing Teeth
At the end of the day, you can replace missing teeth through a variety of common options. The options for missing teeth include flippers, dentures, and dental implants. There are different types of each of these options available and it’s best to discuss each of them with your dentist for a one-on-one consultation.
If you enjoyed this article about options for missing teeth, please check out the other articles on our blog!
