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What are Your Options if You Lose a Tooth?
Losing a tooth can be upsetting but is something many of us will need to deal with at some stage during life. Teeth can be lost due to an accident or to disease, but whatever the reason, it is important to replace them as soon as you can, even if it is only a single tooth that is not highly visible. Every tooth in your mouth has an important function and losing even one will affect the remaining teeth. They will be more likely to drift out of position, towards the empty space left by the missing tooth and this can destabilise these teeth or will affect the way they bite together. When you do lose a tooth, it is likely your dentist in South Benfleet will want to discuss various ways of replacing it as soon as possible, so what are your options?
Partial or Full Dentures
This is the cheapest and least invasive way to replace missing teeth, particularly when multiple teeth have been lost. Dentures consist of an acrylic plate that may be strengthened with metal or wire, and which supports plastic denture teeth. These days it is possible to get quite realistic denture teeth so a well-made denture can look pretty good. However many people do not like the idea of wearing a denture or will struggle to do so. They can take a bit of getting used to and unless they are properly adjusted they may feel quite uncomfortable. Another thing to consider about dentures is that they can begin to fit less well after just a few years as the jawbone begins to change shape.
Dental Bridges
Dental Bridges work by bridging left behind by a missing tooth and are supported by crowns adjacent to the gap. This does mean that your dentist in South Benfleet will need to adjust these adjacent teeth, grinding them down so they can be crowned. Dental bridges can look fantastic, particularly when some of the newer all ceramic materials are used. A dental bridge might be a great choice if the teeth adjacent to the gap could do with being crowned. They might not be such a good option if these teeth are perfectly strong and healthy and are already nicely shaped.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are widely regarded as being the best way to replace missing teeth as the new teeth are entirely supported by the implants and do not require any type of modifications to your remaining teeth. Instead a small titanium post is inserted into your jawbone and this supports the replacement tooth. Dental implants in South Benfleet can be a great choice for replacing single or multiple teeth, and you can even use them to hold dentures in place or they can replace them completely with a permanent fixed bridge.
As you can see there are several good choices for replacing missing teeth and it’s often down to personal preference and your budget. Our dentist in South Benfleet can discuss all the different options with you so you can make an informed decision.
If you are missing teeth or are faced with tooth loss in the near future, why not book an appointment with South Benfleet Dental Care? You can contact us on 01268 793485.