The problem of missing teeth is not just about aesthetics. It may create problems with proper eating, speaking, and oral health care in general. People might also experience low self-esteem because of the gaps in their teeth. Fortunately, there are various options when it comes to replacing missing teeth through cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry has greatly developed over the years and offers people various natural-looking and effective solutions. Regardless of whether a person has a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or an entire arch of missing teeth, cosmetic dentistry may help them restore their beautiful and healthy smile.
In the event of losing a tooth, there will be movement of the remaining teeth to fill the empty gap leading to malocclusion problems and any other problem arising due to ineffective cleaning of the teeth. In addition, there is the probability of degeneration of the bone tissue underneath the missing tooth due to lack of stimulus. Replacing the missing teeth is very important for the purpose of keeping the proper alignment of the teeth and maintaining good oral health.
Among the wide range of cosmetic dentistry services that are offered today, dental implants have been one of the most successful ones. A dental implant can be explained as an artificial tooth that is permanently fixed inside the jaw bone. After the healing process, the dentist installs a special dental crown to finalize the treatment. Implantation has a number of advantages which make it the perfect choice in replacing missing teeth. One of the advantages is that dental implantations can prevent jawbone resorption since they fuse easily with the jawbone and encourage bone growth. The other advantage is that dental implants look just like real teeth.
Aside from the use of crowns, dental bridges can also be an option when it comes to replacing missing teeth. The dental bridge comprises one or more artificial teeth that may be anchored either on natural teeth or on implants. One should know the reason why there is a need to have dental bridges and that is because this will ensure that one gets a nice smile since the space left by missing teeth will be covered. Furthermore, the dental bridge will hold up your face and make you able to chew. There are numerous strong materials used in making dental bridges similar to natural teeth.
When someone is missing a number of teeth or even a whole row, dentures may be considered. Thanks to the progress of cosmetic dentistry, nowadays, dentures are way more comfortable, stable and natural than before. Partial dentures are prescribed if there are multiple teeth missing, but some natural ones are left. Dentures are prescribed in cases of missing a whole arch of teeth. Implant dentures are quite popular with patients, since they have all the benefits of implants and conventional dentures combined.
Functional restoration is certainly the primary objective of cosmetic dentistry. However, in addition to this, cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the smile of a person. The dental treatments involved in cosmetic dentistry replicate a person’s own teeth in terms of color, shape, and size. Thanks to the use of high-technology equipment and materials, doctors can make such replacements that will be absolutely appropriate for the rest of the teeth and will not look artificial at all. That means that other people will not guess that there are some artificial teeth. Moreover, tooth replacement helps to maintain the condition of facial muscles.
Different factors will determine the right treatment for you. Some of the things that will be considered will include the number of missing teeth, your jawbone condition, your oral health status, and personal preferences. With the proper analysis of your oral condition, the dentist will be in a position to guide you towards choosing an ideal treatment. Among the other things that should be considered when deciding include the cost of the treatments, the waiting time and, ultimately, your goal.
It is clear that cosmetic dentistry plays a crucial role in the replacement of missing teeth and formation of perfect smiles. With the help of such treatment options as dental implants, bridges, and dentures, one can easily solve any issue related to missing teeth. It will allow people to look great, eat properly, and feel confident in themselves. If you have any problems with your missing teeth, then you should talk to a cosmetic dentist right away.
It is commonly believed that the best choice is dental implants because of their aesthetics, functionality and natural-like feeling. In addition, they preserve the bone of the jaw from degeneration.
In case you follow the required dental hygiene routine and regular visits to the dentist, there is nothing to prevent you from enjoying your implants all your life.
Of course, there are options to replace several missing teeth – it can be done either through a dental bridge, partial/complete dentures or implant-supported replacement according to the individual case of a patient.
Installation of an implant takes several months because it is a surgical procedure implying bonding of an implant and a jaw bone. However, it depends on each patient.
Yes, it is possible to use dental bridges as an alternative for those patients who cannot use implants.