Imagine being able to order whatever you want at your favourite restaurant, or not hiding your smile in the next family photo. These are the kinds of things you take for granted when you're not living with tooth loss. If you're missing one or more teeth, you might always have these concerns in the back of your mind.
You should be aware that there are several tooth replacement solutions available to help you regain your smile and restore your chewing function. Today, we'll explore all the tooth replacement options so you can make an informed decision about what's best for your smile, lifestyle and budget.
Beyond the Gap: Why Functional Tooth Replacement Matters
Besides smile aesthetics, there are several important reasons to replace a missing tooth.
- Oral Health: When your teeth are healthy and your bite is in correct alignment, it's easier to care for your smile and maintain good dental health.
- Chewing Function: Having gaps in your smile compromises your bite. When teeth aren't being used for the jobs they were designed for, they can become damaged or broken.
- Tooth Shifting: Without tooth replacement, neighbouring teeth will begin moving and shifting into the gaps and open spaces, causing bite misalignment.
- TMJ Health: Having a correctly aligned bite protects the health of your jaw joint.
- Jawbone Health; Replacing a missing root with a dental implant keeps your jawbone healthy, protecting it from the deterioration that occurs with tooth loss.
Now that we understand why tooth replacement matters, let's examine the available options.
Modern Tooth Replacement Solutions: Innovation for Optimal Results
Now, we'll review the options, discussing the pros and cons of each.
Dental Bridges: Fixed & Aesthetic Solutions
A dental bridge is a fixed solution for one or multiple adjacent missing teeth. A bridge is anchored to healthy teeth with dental crowns that support one or more prosthetic teeth in between, replacing missing teeth and bridging the gap.
The pros of a dental bridge are:
- Prevents tooth shifting
- Doesn't require a surgical procedure
- Fixed appliance you don't remove for cleanings
- Lasts 10 to 15 years with a good home care routine and dental check-ups
The cons of a dental bridge are:
- Altering healthy teeth for placement
- Doesn't replace the tooth's root
- Will need replacing in the future
Dental Implants: The Foundation of Modern Restoration
Dental implants are considered the gold standard in tooth replacement because they replace the tooth and root. They are also capable of supporting a bridge or denture, which means they can replace multiple missing teeth.
A dental implant consists of three integral pieces: the implant, abutment and restoration. Our dentists carefully place the implant into your jawbone during a simple surgical procedure. Since the implant is made of biocompatible titanium, it gradually fuses with the bone over the next three to six months. Once it's completely healed and integrated with the bone, it's ready to support your restoration.
We connect the restoration with an abutment. Our dentists design a custom ceramic porcelain crown to replace a single missing tooth. We can use two to six dental implants to support a bridge or denture, replacing multiple missing teeth and even a full upper or lower arch.
The pros of dental implants in Parramatta are:
- Offers the look, function and feel of a natural tooth
- Provides excellent longevity with the potential to last a lifetime
- Protects bone health by replacing the tooth's root
- Prevents tooth shifting and preserves bite alignment
- Restores chewing function
- Provides easy home care, as you can brush and floss like a natural tooth
Dental implants are also a wise financial investment for some patients since they have the potential to last a lifetime.
The cons of dental implants are:
- Requires a surgical procedure for placement
- Takes three to six months to complete
- Higher upfront cost
Implant-Supported Dentures: Stability for Full Arches
Our dentists can use four to six dental implants to support a full denture in a procedure known as all-on-x. They will strategically place the dental implants into your jawbone and design the denture to snap into them. The implants hold the denture securely in place, ensuring no movement or slippage when you talk or eat.
The pros of implant dentures are:
- Dental implants protect bone health for better denture longevity
- No embarrassing movement or slippage
- Replaces an entire arch of compromised teeth
The cons of implant dentures are:
- Requires a surgical procedure
- Higher cost than removable dentures
Removable Partial or Complete Dentures
We also offer removable partial or full dentures to help patients replace multiple missing teeth. We can discuss this option with you if you're interested; however, most of our patients appreciate the benefits that implant-supported dentures offer.
Would You Like to Learn More about Tooth Replacement Solutions in Parramatta?
We welcome your call to arrange a booking for an evaluation with one of our dentists if you are considering tooth replacement in Parramatta, NSW.