Replacing missing teeth
If you are missing one or more teeth, you will most likely be all too aware of the repercussions this has seen on your looks and your dental and overall general health.
Your teeth are designed to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. When teeth are missing, it is difficult to do these every day, seemingly mundane activities. Even the loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to shift and your face look older. Fortunately, missing teeth can be replaced and at Birdseye Dental we have a number of different options available to you in doing so.
What are my options?
As discussed in our previous blog, ‘The importance of replacing missing teeth’, the following are a few options your dentist may suggest, depending on your individual circumstance. Your Birdseye Dental dentist will assess your situation and work with you to discuss the most suitable option for you.
- Dental implants including All-on-4.
- Dentures – acrylic partial dentures, cobalt chrome dentures, complete dentures, flexible dentures, immediate dentures and implant retained over dentures.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a strong and natural looking replacement option with many versatile applications such as replacing a single tooth, utilised to secure a bridge or an entire upper or lower arch. One of their most salient advantages is they are completely independent, not relying on other teeth for support.
Essentially a dental implant is an artificial tooth root developed from medical grade titanium. Your implant will resemble a screw with a slightly textured surface to ensure a strong bond with your jawbone is achieved. This becomes the solid foundation to support your replacement implant.
Depending on your personal situation, a replacement crown or bridge may be placed at the same time you receive your implant, or temporary teeth may be placed whilst your implant bonds with your jawbone, this may take between three to six months. After your implant has fused with your jawbone it is uncovered and an attachment referred to as an abutment is secured, it is to this your replacement teeth are permanently bonded. Dental implants function, feel and are indistinguishable from your natural teeth.