False Teeth: Options Available To You

Posted on: 8 May 2017

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There is a host of reasons why you may acquire tooth loss. These causes range from improper oral hygiene that could cause you to suffer from periodontal disease or simply trauma that would leave you with several teeth knocked out. Some individuals may assume that replacing their missing teeth would only serve as an aesthetic function, but the truth is tooth loss can affect your overall wellbeing. A few of the consequences of living with missing teeth include speech impediments, losing the ability to chew properly and even loss of your jawbone, which would, in turn, lead to facial deformities. As such, it is essential to see tooth replacement. Below are some of the options available to you when contemplating false teeth.

Fixed bridges

This form of tooth replacement is usually carried out when the patient has a single tooth missing. The dentist will camouflage the gap using a prosthetic tooth, which is anchored on a crown. The crown part of the bridge will be fitted onto the tooth adjacent to the gap. It should be noted that this procedure involves grinding down of the adjacent tooth so that it can accommodate the crown while appearing natural. As such, you end up damaging a perfectly normal tooth to accommodate your false tooth. Nevertheless, dental bridges are easy to create and tend to match the natural colour of your teeth, making it hard for people to discern that you underwent tooth replacement.

Partial dentures

As the name suggests, this form of tooth replacement is made of dentures that will cover part of your mouth. It is a treatment option suitable for people who have lost multiple teeth at a time. The false teeth are typically connected by a metal band, but advanced options now come with an acrylic band. The partial dentures are then secured onto existing teeth through the use of metallic clasps. You may also choose to have them cemented in place using a resin. The metallic band, as well as the security clasps, are located at the back of your teeth, so you can rest assured that they will be out of sight. Partial dentures are especially ideal for patients who have lost their front teeth, as these false teeth will not detract from the overall appearance of the patient. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the metallic clasps that secure the dentures in place could gradually start to damage the existing teeth.