Replacing Missing Teeth: What Are Your Options?

Your smile is the first thing people notice and a beautiful smile is one of the most attractive physical traits. Fortunately, the advances made in the field of dentistry give every person the chance and opportunity to have their perfect set of teeth and stay confident about their looks.

If you have a couple of missing teeth and feel less confident because of it, here is some advice on what your options are and what you can do to replace them. You may even want to consider a flipper tooth. The process requires several visits to the dentist and a lot of time, it also involves getting the customized implant, the shape, size, and placement.

A bridge to connect the far-apart teeth

One option when you are missing teeth or two within the same parameter is getting a fixed bridge. The process requires several visits to the dentist and a lot of time, it also involves getting the customized implant, the shape, size, and placement. Once set, the bridge has the function of normal teeth and makes for a great substitute if you have two missing teeth next to each other, and it also costs far less than having an implant.

A removable denture

Now, fortunately, there is always the option of having a removable denture in case you are missing several teeth on one side or all the teeth. Dentures are generally used in situations when a person cannot go for the bridge option due to the number of missing teeth. A removable partial denture is a great solution when you are missing teeth only on one side, while a whole denture as the name implies is also an alternative cheaper than implants. It does take a lot of time, and several trips to the dentist's office, and it also requires precise placement and the exact measures as not to affect all the other teeth.

One concern with dentures is that they feel unnatural, and because they are removable, they must be properly cared for. Another difficulty is food becoming trapped between the palate and the dentures, which is a common problem that causes many people to avoid obtaining dentures. Other than these little problems, they are an excellent alternative.

Implants

The most expensive procedure is having full implants. The procedure requires some time, while full anesthesia and a lot of drilling are involved. Full implants are a replica of your missing teeth, and the price depends on whether you are going for several teeth or only one. Unfortunately, the technology is still new, and therefore you might ask yourself how much are full mouth dental implants; the answer is that their cost ranges from around 10K and higher. The prices are a little high owing to the material used and all the additional charges, but it is the most long-lasting and natural-looking alternative among the others.

You can also choose between a fixed denture and a snap-in denture leaving you with the possibility to clean the snap-in denture more thoroughly than the fixed one. The most effective solution, if you have the money, is Zirconia implants, as they have the most natural feeling and look. They can even stick to your gum and can be easily brushed like your old teeth. They are by far the most costly solution, however, the advantages are many and can play a role in your decision.

An option for the front

Another option might be what dentists call a resin bridge or, to be more precise, a resin-retained bridge. This is less invasive than a normal bridge and is often used for the front teeth. They are not experiencing the same amount of pressure as the others. It makes the front teeth look aesthetically pleasing and is a cheaper option than the others.

Inserting a flipper denture

Another popular option is flipper dentures. Flipper teeth are partial removable dentures that fit into the missing holes and are clipped onto the already existing teeth you have. They usually are meant as a temporary solution and they are way cheaper than the far more expensive options we previously mentioned. Although people tend to use them as a temporary option, a vast number of patients are more than fine using them permanently.

In the past, a barber and dentist were the same things, as people had scarce knowledge of basic dentistry and the construction of teeth. The only procedure was extracting them and that was generally done in unsanitary circumstances, therefore people often suffered various infections. Though dentures are around for millennia, as there are records showing the ancient Egyptians using primitive dentures from available materials, the modern-day dentures are by far the best we achieved in making our smile look natural and beautiful. Moreover, compared to the wooden teeth from the past, these options do not seem expensive after all.