Common Dental Restorations for a Missing Tooth

Gum disease, trauma or tooth decay are all reasons a person’s tooth may fall out, but a dentist can replace it using a dental restoration. There are three main options patients can consider to remediate the situation.

Benefits of replacing a missing tooth

While protecting a patient from any tooth loss is generally the primary goal of dentists, restoring a missing tooth has several benefits over leaving the gap untreated:

• Reduce the chance of gum disease: Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. If the missing tooth is not replaced, the area is even more susceptible to disease, which can lead to a more widespread issue.
• Maintain bone volume: After a tooth is lost, the lack of natural tooth roots can cause the deterioration of the jawbone due to the process of bone resorption. This can impact the overall structure of the face and potentially cause more teeth to fall out.
• Restore function: Missing teeth, especially those located in the front of the mouth, can impact the ability to eat, speak and perform other related activities. A dental restoration allows a person to carry out these functions normally, with little to no modifications.
• Enhance appearance: The cosmetic impact of a missing tooth can be severe, making an individual so embarrassed and uncomfortable that they may avoid social situations. Fortunately, many of the restorative options available to patients are indistinguishable from a person’s natural tooth, allowing patients to feel confident in their smiles.

Options for missing teeth replacements

When visiting a dentist to address a missing tooth, there are several options to consider for treatment:

Dental implant

A dental implant can replace one or missing teeth in any part of the mouth. Generally, patients need sufficient bone volume to complete the treatment, or a bone graft may be necessary to proceed with the treatment.

There are three steps to the implant process when a tooth gap is already present. First, the implant, which is similar to a screw, is placed into the jawbone during a single appointment. The device is given a period of about six months to integrate with the jawbone, allowing the implant to function similarly to a natural tooth root. Once healed, an abutment is placed over the implant. A crown is crafted to match the patient’s surrounding teeth and is attached to the abutment.

Dental bridge

While there are several types of dental bridges used to restore missing teeth, traditional bridges include one or most prosthetic teeth held in place with dental crowns on each side. Modification to the natural teeth adjacent to the gap is necessary with this method in order to secure each crown.

Denture

Whether a patient is missing one tooth or multiple teeth, dentures include a gum-like base with replacement teeth attached. A partial denture can be used to replace a small number of teeth, while a full denture replaces an entire arch.

Conclusion

A tooth gap can affect both the oral health and appearance of a patient, but a dental restoration can be used to replace any lost teeth. Start a discussion with a dentist to learn more about how you can get your full smile back.

Request an appointment here: https://totalcareimplantdentistry.com or call Total Care Implant Dentistry at (760) 394-3088 for an appointment in our Palm Desert office.

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