With lost or missing adult teeth comes the added decision-making with regard to replacements. When it comes down to replacement options, you are looking at a fairly extensive list. Your main options are as follows:
- Dentures (partial or complete replacement)
- Dental Bridges
- Flipper
- Implants
Dentures, dental bridges, and flippers are all traditional tooth replacements. Implants, on the other hand, are a little bit more complex and comprehensive. Hopefully, after reading the outlined differences between traditional tooth replacements and dental implants, along with the pros and cons, you will be able to make your decision when it comes to replacing your missing tooth/teeth.
Dentures
Dentures are one of the more traditional solutions to missing teeth. Dentures are typically used to replace a large number of missing teeth. They adhere to the gums with a combination of suction and dental glue. These false teeth are made from acrylic resin and sometimes porcelain.
Pros
Dentures are a great option for someone with a bunch of missing teeth, as they provide structure to the face when teeth are absent. They make it easy to chew and look great.
Cons
Dentures are not the most secure option. Additionally, if you are only missing one or two teeth, the cost of dentures may not be worth the payoff.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a set of usually one or two false teeth attached in the mouth permanently to other teeth. They are cemented on and restore smiles with missing teeth.
Pros
Dental bridges are a good option for people that are missing single teeth and whose gums are less strong.
Cons
Dental bridges do involve other teeth in the mouth, which is not for everyone. Dental bridges do not last forever and have to be replaced once in a while.
Flipper
Flippers are almost like a cross between dentures and dental bridges. They only include one or two teeth and are held in place by the surrounding teeth. They can easily be removed at night or to eat.
Pros
Flippers are a good option for anyone looking to fill the gaps formed by one or two missing teeth without doing any work to the surrounding teeth.
Cons
Flippers are not a permanent solution to missing teeth.
Implants
An implant is drilled into a patient’s jaw to provide a permanent solution to a lost tooth. These implants are the longest-lasting of all tooth replacements and look the most real in the mouth. They do not impact other teeth in the mouth though they do take some time to fully heal.
Pros
Implants are permanent, they do not move when you eat and are just as secure as regular teeth. The implant lasts for well upwards of 25 years and in many cases, differentiating between implant teeth and real teeth poses a challenge.
Cons
The implant process can take a while to complete and does require healthy gums to follow through with.
Now that you have all the information, call Interface London to talk to a dentist about your decision to replace any missing teeth! Our office is always more than happy to offer advice and help you come up with solutions.
Recent Comments