If you have gaps in your smile, you may be wondering how to replace missing teeth.
There are several options for missing teeth, which means there’s a solution for everyone! We discuss what’s on offer in our post.
Dentures
Dentures are one of the most affordable solutions for missing teeth and are suitable for most people.
You can have either a partial denture to replace a few missing teeth or full dentures if all your teeth are missing.
Dentures are usually taken out of your mouth every night for cleaning, although fixed dentures that are supported by implants are also available.
Dentures are tailor-made for your mouth to provide a comfortable and great fit. They’re usually made from acrylic resin, which is lightweight and easy to keep clean.
Crowns
Crowns fit over an existing tooth like a cap and look just like a real tooth.
They’re an efficient way to protect and support a weak tooth that might otherwise have to be removed in time, thus preventing gaps in your smile.
They can also support teeth that need large fillings or a bridge or provide cosmetic improvement.
Crowns stay in your mouth and look and feel like natural teeth, which is a great advantage.
Bridges
Bridges are fixed into your mouth to fill a gap where a tooth or some teeth are missing. Made from porcelain, a natural-looking false tooth sits in the gap and can be secured in place by crowns on the teeth on either side or a tooth on just one side.
They may also be supported by a frame bonded onto the back of the tooth or teeth on either side or implants instead of crowns.
You don’t need to remove bridges, so they make a convenient solution to gaps and look just like natural teeth.
However, be aware that you may need to have a bridge replaced after a few years.
And they are only suitable if you have a tooth or teeth on one or both sides of the gap to provide support.
Implants
Implants are considered the most lasting solution to missing teeth. You don’t necessarily need to have teeth on either side to support them as they are secured to your jawbone.
To use implants to replace missing teeth, you will need to have healthy gums and sufficient bone in your jaw.
The implant, which is usually made of titanium, is surgically fixed into the jawbone and acts like a tooth root. A crown with the appearance of a natural tooth is fitted over the top.
A single implant may anchor one or more crowns to fill gaps of varying sizes.
While implants are more expensive than some other ways of replacing teeth, they are strong, long-lasting and look just like natural teeth.
It’s worth noting that it takes several months to complete the implant process.
Restoring your smile the caring way
As you can see, there are lots of options for missing teeth — in fact, there’s a solution for everyone that can be tailored to their unique needs.
Come and have a chat with the friendly team here at Opal Dental, your local dentist in Auckland. We can talk through the choices with you and find the one that’s the best fit for you. Give us a call to learn more about how we can restore your smile.
