If you are missing one or more of your teeth, you don’t need to be told of the embarrassment such a loss can cause. This is especially true if you are missing front teeth. Moreover, missing teeth are not just unsightly. They interfere with your ability to chew your food and speak properly and may cause your other teeth to go out of their proper alignment. Fortunately, there are several things your dentist can do to replace your missing teeth.
Bonding
Bonding is an answer if your tooth is partially missing. During a bonding session, the doctor attaches material to what’s left of your tooth to create a natural-looking artificial tooth. Technology has allowed the material to match the color of your tooth exactly. Better yet, you only need one visit to have this procedure done.
Tooth Crowns
Tooth crowns are also good for teeth that are partially missing and are routinely placed on implants. They are tooth-shaped and come in such materials as porcelain or other ceramics, metal, porcelain, and metal and resin. The most durable types of tooth crowns are made of gold. These crowns can last for as long as 40 years. However, you may want a more natural-looking crown made of porcelain.
Bridges
If your tooth or teeth are completely missing, you might consider a dental bridge. These are crowns and a filler or fillers that are connected. The crowns cover your remaining teeth while a tooth-shaped filler, or pontic is put in place of your missing tooth. Like stand-alone tooth crowns, dental bridges can be made of a variety of materials.
Implants
Implants are the preferred treatment when it comes to replacing missing teeth, but their emplacement is a bit more involved than that of crowns, bonding or bridges. For one thing, the dentist needs to implant a post in the place where your old tooth was. This post fuses with the bone in your jaw, so the dentist needs to sew your gum closed over it while this happens. In the meantime, you’ll need to take special care of your dental hygiene.
When the bone and post are fused, the dentist opens up your gum and places an anchor on the post, then places a dental crown on the anchor. If you don’t want to go through all of this, there are some treatments where the post and crown are implanted at the same time.
You no longer need to endure the embarrassment of a missing tooth or teeth. Whether it’s bonding, tooth crowns, bridges or implants, these treatments can replace missing teeth and return your ability to eat and speak the right way. They also help restore your smile.
About the author:
Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.