More than 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Missing even a single tooth can be quite harmful to your overall dental health. This is because missing teeth can cause your jawbone to weaken, among other dental problems.
Fortunately, there are many tooth replacement options to choose from when you visit your dentist in Monument Colorado. But where should you start when it comes to tooth replacement options? Keep reading and learn more about your options below.
Dental Implants
If you want to replace missing teeth, then a dental implant is one of your best options. However, dental implants are usually best if you want to replace only one or a few teeth. This is because each dental implant can cost thousands of dollars.
Replacing an entire mouth full of teeth with dental implants is usually impossible for most people from a financial point of view. Besides that, replacing all of your teeth with dental implants will take quite a long time since there is a lot of healing time involved. However, if you only plan on getting dental implants for one or a few teeth, then the process should be quite simple.
A dental implant is nothing more than a false tooth that is drilled into your jawbone. The root of the dental implant is a metal post usually made out of titanium or surgical steel. If you are missing a tooth but still have the roots, your dentist will need to remove the roots before installing the metal post.
The Details
The metal post will sit in a hole drilled into your jawbone. Over time, your bone will grow around the post and solidify it in place. That way, it will serve as a sturdy foundation for the rest of the implant.
If your jawbone is too thin or weak, you may need to get a bone graft before you can get the dental implant. Once you get the metal post, you will get the abutment and dental crown at a later time. The abutment is sort of a cushion between the metal post and the false crown.
The dental crown, of course, is the part that looks like a real tooth. Dental implants are not only very realistic but they are also very sturdy and should remain in good shape as long as you take care of them.
A Dental Bridge
If you need to replace several teeth at once, it is best to get a dental bridge rather than a dental implant. This is because a dental bridge is designed to take the place of several teeth rather than one at a time. This makes replacing missing teeth much more feasible for most people.
There are different types of dental bridges you can choose from. For example, some bridges are designed to hook around your existing teeth. Your existing teeth will act as anchors on either side of the bridge to hold it in place.
That way, the bridge shouldn’t come loose or shift around. However, if you don’t have any real teeth to anchor the bridge, then you can opt for a bridge that is supported by dental implants. In this case, you will get one or two dental implants and then get a bridge from a dentist in monument colorado.
What You Need to Know
Each side of the bridge will attach to the dental implants. That way, you can replace all of the teeth in that section of your mouth with ease. In general, dental bridges are not as invasive as dental implants.
However, there are some cases in which a dental bridge may be drilled into your jawbone much in the same way as an ordinary dental implant. This ensures that the dental bridge isn’t going anywhere even after years of use. Again, if your jawbone is too weak or thin, you may need to get a bone graft before you can go through with this procedure.
A dental bridge is particularly useful for those who are missing several teeth in the same area. However, some dental bridges may be designed to replace several teeth even if those missing sections are separated by extant teeth. Dental bridges are also very durable and can last a very long time as long as you take care of them.
Dentures
If you are missing most or all of your teeth, then dentures will be the best option. Dentures are false teeth that you can remove whenever you feel like it. If you only have a few teeth left in your mouth, your dentist will pull them out so that there is room to fit your new set of dentures.
Your dentist will take molds and scans of your mouth so that a set of dentures can be designed especially for you. That way, the dentures should fit your mouth perfectly and should be very comfortable. Dentures are known to be very realistic and very durable.
They are also important for restoring your dental function. Without any teeth at all, it will be difficult to talk and chew food. The only downside has to do with taking care of the dentures.
It is important to keep your dentures clean. For example, you will need to clean your dentures every day and occasionally soak them in special solutions to keep them in good shape. You will also need to use special adhesives to keep the dentures in your mouth throughout the day.
Whatever the case, dentures are still a good choice for those without any teeth.
All About Tooth Replacement Options
There are many tooth replacement options to choose from, and some may be better for you than others. For example, dental implants are best for those missing one or a few teeth. Bridges and dentures are best for those missing far more teeth if not all of their teeth.
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