Tooth Replacement Treatments Compared

If you have missing teeth, you know how embarrassing, unattractive, and inconvenient this oral health problem really is. Additionally, those ugly little spaces can create oral health problems and negatively impact your overall health. Fortunately, Family Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry has many amazing options to help restore a healthy, functional, and attractive smile efficiently and painlessly. So what can you do to get started?  We recommend that you review this comparison of the three most popular options for tooth replacement and decide which one seems ideal for your needs, goals, and budget.

Tooth Replacement Options For Havre De Grace Patients

After a long history of serving patients in the Havre De Grace, MD area, we have determined that the three most popular tooth replacement options are bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Here are three examples of patients that selected each one of the options below and why they chose the option they preferred. We have changed all of the names to protect the privacy of our patients.

Patient 1: Albert – Dentures

Albert was missing most of his upper teeth. Unfortunately, he also has diabetes and an auto-immune disorder. For this reason, dental implants were not a good option for his needs. His lack of surrounding anchor teeth also prevented him from using a bridge to replace his teeth. Consequently, Albert chose dentures to replace his missing teeth. This tooth replacement option consisted of a whole arch of replacement teeth anchored in a gum-colored plastic base. His dentures were created and fitted in a couple of weeks and he was able to eat, chew, and smile once more.

Denture Benefits 

For patients like Albert, dentures are the quickest option at the most reasonable cost.  Albert needed something that he could get in days that would restore his bite function without surgery. Dentures were the perfect solution for his needs.

Denture Drawbacks 

When they are compared to other options, dentures are often considered to be the least comfortable treatment option. Many of our patients also complain that dentures look much less natural than bridges or dental implants. Additionally, dentures cannot stop the process of deterioration that can occur in the jawbone when patients lose teeth. Over time this can result in a sunken facial appearance, loss of jaw muscle tone, and premature wrinkles around the mouth. And lastly, patients sometimes have trouble speaking clearly and enjoying their favorite foods with dentures.  

Patient 2: April – Bridge

April is a 60-year-old patient who lost her four front teeth when she was ten years old. She got a bridge after the accident and another when she was in her twenties. However, it has been almost 40 years and she needs to repair her smile. Because she was only missing a couple of her teeth, dentures were not a good option for her needs. Additionally, she recently had radiation as part of cancer treatment, so her doctor did not feel like dental implant surgery was a good option for her. As a result, April chose a bridge to replace her missing teeth. 

Bridges are a tooth replacement option that is used to replace one or more missing teeth.  The teeth next to the missing ones must be filed down to provide space for the replacement teeth. After crafting the replacement tooth to match the shape, color, and texture of the patient’s real teeth, the “bridge” is then attached to surrounding teeth. Now April can chew, smile, and speak again without problems.

Bridge Benefits

April was relieved to discover that her bridge was less invasive (no surgery was required), less expensive, and was finished quicker than dental implants. She also learned that her bridge presented less risk and greater convenience since parts could be replaced quickly and painlessly.

Bridge Drawbacks

Once natural teeth have been ground down for anchors to the bridge piece, they will never be normal again. Also, interfering with the structure of the tooth can increase the risk of tooth decay, sensitivity, and the need for root canal therapy. Additionally, special products and cleaners may be necessary to clean beneath the bridge and keep the teeth around it plaque free.

Patient 3: Richard – Dental Implants

Richard was missing two teeth in his upper jaw after a biking accident. He used a temporary flipper piece to fill the holes created by his missing teeth, but he wanted a better option. Because he was only missing two teeth, dentures were not a good option for him. And, because he wanted a permanent option, he decided  not to get a bridge. After doing research and seeing all the amazing benefits of previous patients, Richard chose dental implants. He couldn’t be happier with the results and only wishes he had gotten them sooner.

Dental Implant Benefits

Dental implants can be cared for just as you would your natural teeth. Besides being the only permanent option, dental implants look, feel, and function just like real teeth. Additionally, this tooth replacement solution is the only one that can prevent or reverse jawbone deterioration. 

Dental Implants Drawbacks

One of the biggest drawbacks for dental implants is that they are not usually covered by dental insurance. The process can also take much longer compared to other options that are done in just days. Dental implants require multiple visits over the course of three to six months and supplementary procedures like bone grafts or tissue augmentation could be required.

Contact Us Today For More Information About Tooth Replacement Options

Here at Family Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry, we love helping our patients restore their smiles with functional and attractive dental implants. With decades of training and experience, we proudly serve the Havre de Grace, MD community with superior services and well-priced products. If you would like to know more about payment options or what makes a good candidate, please read through the rest of our specially designed website.  There is no time like today to begin your own smile transformation, so call us today to get started.