If you’ve lost one or more teeth in Temple City, Dr. Ethan Park is here to help. He’s an expert in restorative dentistry, and he can help you explore all of your options for restoring your smile. Not sure what your options are? In this blog from Camellia Dentistry, we’ll discuss the top 3 options, as well as the importance of replacing missing teeth.
Why Should I Replace My Missing Teeth?
First, you may be wondering why you should replace your missing teeth. There are a few reasons. First, replacing missing teeth protects your oral health. It stops the nearby teeth from shifting, and treatments like dental implants help keep your jaw bone healthy, too.
You’ll also feel better about your appearance. Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious when you smile, and tooth loss can affect your speech, too. Losing teeth may even make it harder to eat your favorite foods.
Replacing your teeth fixes all of these issues and more, allowing you to live your normal day-to-day life with confidence. With that out of the way, let’s discuss the basics about the top 3 options for tooth replacement.
Different Tooth Replacement Options
1. Dental Implants
Dental implants are the best way to restore missing teeth. They consist of a screw-shaped metal rod, which is surgically implanted into your gums and jaw, and a dental restoration, like a false tooth (crown).
After the metal implant is placed, it permanently bonds with your jaw, essentially becoming a natural part of your mouth. Then, a replacement tooth is attached to it, acting just like a natural tooth. Implants last 30+ years, will never move or shift, and require minimal special care. For all these reasons and more, they’re the best way to replace your missing teeth in Temple City.
2. Dentures
Dentures are a good choice if you’re on a budget. There are two basic types of dentures, known as “full dentures” and “partial dentures.” Full dentures are used to replace the upper, lower, or both rows of teeth. They are only recommended if you have lost most or all of your teeth. That’s because any remaining teeth must be pulled to get full dentures, even if those teeth are healthy.
Partial dentures are better if you’re only missing a few teeth. These are false teeth that use a metal and plastic framework to snap onto your remaining teeth. They take some getting used to, but are a good choice if you haven’t lost many teeth.
Dentures don’t last as long as implants, but they’re also much cheaper, and are usually covered by insurance, so they may be a good option for some patients.
3. Dental Bridges
Dental bridges use two crowns to support one or more false teeth. These two crowns are placed onto healthy “abutment teeth,” on either side of the gap in your smile. Between them, one or more false teeth can be suspended to fill up the gap and restore your bite, smile, and appearance.
Bridges are not removable, unlike dentures, and they require less special care. They also tend to last longer than dentures, since they’re made of durable materials like metal and porcelain.
Bridges are more expensive than partial dentures, but are usually cheaper than dental implants. If you’re on a budget, have a few missing teeth, and aren’t interested in dental implants or you’re not a good candidate, they may be the right option for you.
Interested In Dental Implants? Get A Free Consultation In Temple City!
Only a dentist can tell you what restorative treatment is right for your oral health, your personal preferences, and your budget. So come into Camellia Dentistry today. Dr. Ethan Park offers free consultations for dental implants, and can help you explore your other options for restorative care, too. Contact us online or give us a call at (626) 500-4340 to schedule your appointment in Temple City now.
