What Is The Best Option To Replace My Missing Teeth?
Hi, it’s Dr Wendy here from Oralux Dental. I just had a consultation with a new patient Robert from Neutral Bay, who just had one of his tooth extracted. He was wondering what are the options available to him in terms of replacing the missing tooth. And I thought I would take the opportunity and make a short video about this.
A missing tooth can make a significant impact to your appearance and ability to chew and speak. If left untreated, the surrounding teeth may shift into the empty space and become out of position. In addition, the jaw bone around the area may also shrink, affecting your overall appearance as well. So what are the options of replacing a tooth?
Option one is to replace it with a dental implant. Dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth that a dentist can provide. It consists of a titanium post integrated into the jaw bone and a porcelain crown placed above the post. It feels and looks like a natural tooth, and it’s also cleaned like a natural tooth. It can stimulate the surrounding bone to prevent unwanted bone loss. A dental implant can be more of an investment upfront compared to the other options, but can save you more in the long run because a well-looked-after implant may last you a lifetime.
Option two to replace a tooth is a dental bridge. A dental bridge consists of two porcelain crowns placed on the teeth adjacent to the missing space as an anchor to support an artificial tooth. It restores your ability to chew and speak, and it can be aesthetically pleasing. A dental bridge usually lasts from 5 to 10 years, although it may require more maintenance to clean it, compared to an implant or natural tooth, it is still a simple and effective way to replace a missing tooth.
Option three is to replace the tooth with a denture. It is not as invasive as the previous options but can replace multiple missing teeth in a cost-effective way. However, dentures often are not comfortable or natural as the previous options. It is often very bulky and it requires a great deal of maintenance, but as dental prosthetic advances each year, so are dentures. And nowadays, it can be an interim solution when we’re preparing for more permanent restoration for you.
I hope this video helps you understand your options in replacing a missing tooth. If you do have a missing tooth and want a professional opinion, we would love to help.
We are conveniently located at Crows Nest in the Lower Northshore, and Bella Vista in the Hills District. So simply give us a call, complete the enquiry form on our website, or direct message us via sms or on social media, and we will be in touch to help you organise your appointment. See you in the next video.
Note: All content and media on the Oralux Dental website and social media channels are created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
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