Tooth decay and tooth loss spares nobody. Everyone loses a few teeth at some point in life and may look for dental restoration. There are various tooth restoration options available such as dental implants, dentures or dental bridges depending upon the state of oral health and the condition of the remaining teeth. The following information regarding the different available options can help you in deciding the right one for you.
Dentures
Dentures are prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and supported by soft and hard tissue in the oral cavity. Traditional dentures are removable devices made from plastic or metal and slipped on with an adhesive to attach to the gums. There are different designs for the upper and lower jaw.
Most people complain of dentures slipping off when they cough, laugh or smile and are asked to suck and bite down on dentures to keep them in place. Patients require time to get used to dentures and may have to visit the dentist more than once to get adjustments made for a proper fit. Also, over time, dentures cause gums to wear away causing dentures to come loose.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridge is a fixed partial denture for replacing a missing tooth by joining permanently to adjacent teeth. Dental bridges come of different types depending upon how they are fabricated and the manner in which they fix to the adjacent teeth. Simple dental bridges are supported by surrounding healthy teeth. A five-unit bridge requires three abutment healthy teeth for adequate support. With time the pressure that they apply can lead to erosion of healthy teeth, which requires shaving down the teeth to get the setting of the bridge right. Ten years down the line even these good teeth too may require fixing. At times, there may not be sufficient good teeth available for supporting a bridge. Dental bridges can also be placed over dental implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are the latest technique in dental restoration. Dental implants are artificial roots for supporting dental restorations and resemble a tooth or group of teeth. The technology behind dental implants is based on the process of osseointegration. It relates to the structural and functional connection between bone and dental implants, which are typically made from titanium. Dental implants can be used for supporting crowns, dentures and implant-supported dental bridges. The basic procedure involves preparation into the bone. Dental implants require some time for the bone to fuse or grow into the surface of the implant after which a tooth or teeth can be placed. The amount of time required varies and depends upon the quality and quantity of the jawbone, the skill of the dentist and the healing ability of the patient’s body.
There are two aspects of dental implants that you need to be careful about. In inexperienced hands, dental implants can prove to be a terrifying experience. Things can go wrong if there is not adequate bone or an underlying medical disorder delays osseointegration and the healing process. Someone who has gone through such an experience may recommend dental bridge as a solution.
Dental implants last longer and a better option provided the procedure is handled by a qualified dentist. The second aspect is the high cost. However, in the long run, dental implants may actually prove to be less costly than other restoration procedures.