There are few tooth replacement options available in 2021. Are you missing a front tooth? Tooth loss can be traumatizing, especially if you care so much about your facial appearance. Losing a front tooth affects your smile and makes you self-conscious about your looks. By so doing it wounds your self-confidence. If you fail to replace missing tooth, it affects your diet and, consequently, your overall health.
If you have a missing front tooth, the best solution is to replace it. Below, we have five of the best solutions for missing teeth in 2021.
Single Dental Implants
A single dental implant presents a more natural tooth replacement option. Here, the artificial tooth attaches to your jawbone. However, this means that you need a healthy jawbone and healthy gums to support the implant.
The implant has the shape of a cylinder or a screw that replaces your natural root. Most of the implants are titanium of other materials that will not cause any reactions when fixed into your jawbone and gum. The procedure is simple and can occur at the dentist’s office or in a hospital with local anesthesia. Your dental needs and condition will determine how much surgery the dentist will carry out. Replacing a missing side tooth will take more work that replacing a front tooth. However, the process will take several months. It occurs in three stages:
- Placing the Implant – The first stage involves placing an implant in the jaw and covering it with gum tissue. From here, the dentist will leave the implant in your jawbone for at least three months to allow time for integration. The procedure can take several hours.
- Post Attachment – Once the implant integrates into the jaw, the dentist will attach the post and allow the gum tissue to grow around it. In some instances, the dentist might choose to install the implant and the post simultaneously.
- Crown Attachment – The last stage involves attaching the crown to the dental post.
Advantages
- A single dental implant gives you a natural look
- The implants are durable and more permanent than other solutions, making them more cost-effective
- You take care of the dental implant as you do other teeth in your mouth
- Implants prevent jawbone loss, thereby, maintaining the structure of your face
- The procedure does not require any modifications of the teeth adjacent to the gap
Disadvantages
- The treatment is invasive as the dentist has to place an implant into your jawbone
- It takes longer to install a crown as you have to wait for integration – you also need to make so many dental visits
- This is not the cheapest way to replace a tooth as the procedure takes several visits to the dentist and the implants are expensive
Risks Associated
Did you know that the implant can fail to integrate? The stability of the implant relies on how well it integrates to the bone. After installation, the jaw bones grow around the implant to provide stability. Continued growth of the bone strengthens the fusion between the bone and the implant. At times, the implant does not sufficiently sit in the jaw, and this affects the fusion with the bone.
The procedure might result in damaged anatomic features near the jaw. Such injuries include perforation of the inferior boarder, maxillary sinus, labial plate, lingual plate, gingiva, or the inferior alveolar canal. Such injuries can result into secondary problems, thanks to infections.
Infection is a major complication during dental procedures. Infection occurs in the form of an abscess, inflammation, or radiolucency among others. However, the dentist will prescribe antibiotics before the procedure.
Bone loss is also a considerable risk. The loss of bone between the natural teeth and the implant can affect the stability of the implant. This also results in the appearance of black triangles between your teeth, affecting your appearance.
The implant might fracture, resulting in serious complications. Removing the fractured implant and replacing it may not be an option as the remaining bone may not be strong enough. Other complications may be:
- Nerve injury
- Tissue necrosis
- Gingival recession
- Dehiscence
- Hyperplasia
- Excessive bleeding
How Much Does It Cost?
Perhaps you are wondering, how much does it cost to replace a tooth? A dental implant for a single tooth will cost between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the procedure carried out. This price includes the price of dental implant surgery, dentist visits, implant crown, and abutment. Other procedures such as tooth extraction, tissue, and bone grafts will increase the price even more.
All on 4 Dental Implants
If you need tooth replacement for multiple teeth, you can choose the All on 4 dental implants. Instead of a single implant, the procedure replaces a full arch on the lower or upper jaw. Just like in a single tooth implant, the All-on-4 arch attaches to the jawbone through dental implants. The implants are screws that stand in for the roots of your teeth. An arch will only have four screws.
Unlike dentures, the teeth arch is not removable, but a dentist can unscrew it for cleaning. This is one of the different kinds of teeth replacement that gives you your natural smile back. You are the right candidate for this procedure if your jawbone is strong on four key locations. If your jawbone is not strong enough, your dentist might recommend bone graft to strengthen your jaw.
This is not the cheapest way to replace a tooth. However, an arch will have between 10 and 14 teeth to give you back your natural smile.
Advantages
- All on four dental implants are more comfortable than removable dentures
- You can receive a whole set of new teeth in a day using a single arch. This gives you your natural smile back
- In most cases, you will not require painful and time consuming bone grafting. The dentist checks for four spots on the jaw to place the implant, which will hold all the teeth on the arch
- The fake teeth feel and look like your natural teeth. You will have no diet restrictions as you can use them as you natural teeth
- The cost of dental implants will reduce when you do not have to install an implant for every tooth
Disadvantages
- There is a risk of failed integration. This occurs when the bone fails to grow around the installed screw.
- The bridges supported by implants feel thick and bulky, and you might find it difficult to speak some sounds a few days after the surgery. However, you will learn to speak with the implants after some time.
- You might need to use a mouth guard to protect your new teeth from damage from grinding and clenching.
- For the first few weeks after surgery, you might experience tender gums that make it challenging for you to eat some foods.
Risks Associated
As with different kinds of teeth replacement, there are some risks involved. With All-on-4 implants, the main risks are infection, gum damage, and nerve damage. In some cases, the teeth might break, especially if not installed properly. If you feel as if the bite is off, talk to your dentist.
This is one of the tooth replacement options that make it hard for you to try other options if it fails. Unlike other tooth replacement options, this procedure requires that the dentist reshapes the bones for the arch.
How Much Does It Cost?
How much is it to get teeth replaced? The average cost of all-on-4 dental implants is $38,025. This cost ranges between $9,850 and $50,000. If you get teeth replacement for one arch, the cost is lower. You might incur more costs for follow-up visits.
Fixed Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a teeth replacement option for one or more teeth. The tooth or teeth holds into place using crown abutments, which are on either side of the fabricated teeth. This tooth has the same size and shape as the actual missing tooth. Crowns used during installation ensure the tooth or teeth are in the middle of the bridge. These crowns hold in place on your natural teeth or on implants.
There are different materials to choose from for dental bridges, including alloys, gold, or porcelain. In most cases, porcelain is the most common as it matches the natural color of teeth.
For you to be the right candidate for dental bridges, you need healthy teeth that are strong enough to support the bridge. The procedure starts with preparation of the abutment for the crowns that hold the bridge. From there, the dentist takes an impression of the teeth using a soft material that you bite into. Meanwhile, the dentist places temporary bridge over the abutment for protection. The second dentist appointment involves removing the temporary crowns and placing permanent crowns. The dentist checks for fit and bite. It is a great teeth replacement option for missing side tooth.
Advantages
- A fixed bridge has the look and feel of natural teeth, so you can eat and speak with ease
- The dental bridge is easy to take care of as you treat it as your natural teeth
- If you need inexpensive tooth replacement for multiple teeth, bridges are cheaper than single tooth implants
- The bridge lasts for many years before it needs replacement
- Installation of the bridge does not affect your healthy teeth when you choose an implant supported bridge
- If you go for tooth-support fixed bridge teeth replacement, the procedure will only take two or three weeks
Disadvantages
- You can only replace missing teeth adjacent to each other
- If you need to replace a complete arch of teeth, the procedure is relatively expensive
- You need to make several visits to the dentist, especially if you choose an implant-supported bridge
- For tooth-supported bridge, the adjacent teeth will require grinding, which can affect their health. Grinding the teeth increases their risk of decay.
Risks Associated
Some of the risks involved include:
- Some people might have allergic reactions to some of the materials used in the restorative process
- There is risk of infection from the minor procedure in implant-supported bridges
- For teeth-supported bridges, you might develop teeth sensitivity
- There is increased risk of decay in the ground teeth
How Much Does It Cost?
If you are looking for low cost single tooth replacement, bridges might help you. The cost is dependent on the type of bridges you choose, the material, the installation procedure, and others. You will spend between $500 and $2,500 for a single tooth.
Dentures
If you need the best solution for missing teeth when you are on a budget, dentures might be a good option. They are removable teeth replacement option. They are great options if you are wondering, if I have no teeth what are my options? Complete dentures are ideal when all your teeth are missing. They are tooth replacement options after extraction and after the gum and other tissues heal.
After removing your teeth, the dentist can place an immediate denture. This stays with you during the healing process. However, your bones and gum will shrink during the healing period. Immediate dentures need constant adjustment to achieve a good fit. Conventional dentures come after the gum heals, and they are more permanent.
To install dentures, you need a few weeks and several visits to the dentist. The dentist will determine the best appliance for your teeth. In the preliminary visits, the dentist or prosthodontist will make impressions of your jaw. They will also take measurements to see how your jaws relate with each other and the space between the upper and lower jaw.
From the impressions, the dentist will create models using wax or plastic in the shape of the denture to be made. The dentist will explain to you how to replace a tooth, and you will fit the denture severally. The dentist will assess the denture for fit, color, and shape before they cast the final denture for you.
From there, the dentist makes the necessary adjustments to ensure that the denture fits fine. In the first few weeks, the dentures might feel loose. However, the muscles of your cheeks and your tongue will learn to keep them in place. Again, you might experience minor irritation after replacement teeth for dentures. A little soreness and increased saliva flow can be experience during the first few weeks, but the mouth adjusts.
Advantages
- No one will know that you have fake tooth as the denture resemble your natural teeth
- If you only have missing bottom teeth, you can do partial dentures to replace only those teeth
- This might be the easiest method if you are wondering, what is the cheapest way to replace a missing tooth?
- They offer great support for the cheek muscles and the lips to give you back your facial structure
- It is one of the options to replace missing teeth that restores a natural look, allowing you to talk and eat naturally
- The dentist can adjust the denture to accommodate the changing shape of the jawbone
- Tooth replacement using dentures takes a short time
- There are different colors, shapes, and sizes to match your gums and your needs
Disadvantages
- Minor adjustments of the jawbone make the dentures loose and ill-fitting, and you need to visit a dentist
- Eating hard and sticky food can damage the dentures
- You have to remove them overnight to give the gums a chance to recover and clean them
- The pressure from the denture on the jawbone can accelerate bone loss
- Ill-fitting dentures can move around when you speak or chew food, making it a challenge to taste food
- Dentures may produce a clicking sound when you speak
Risks Associated
Can you get replacement teeth without some risks? Where a dentist understands how to replace missing teeth, the risks are minimal. With dentures, you will experience bone loss as the jawbone does not hold the fake teeth. The pressure from the teeth can hasten the teeth loss. This is not a permanent teeth replacement option as you have to remove the dentures every day. Again, this is not among the single tooth replacement options. It puts pressure on the gums, and you have to allow them time to heal every day.
How Much Does It Cost?
Full teeth replacement cost between $400 and $8,000. The difference in cost is as a result of the materials used, fabrication, time, location, and the experience of the dentist. Making complete dentures will take about 15 hours with about six dentist appointments.
Partial Dentures
If you are only missing a few teeth, or there are still some teeth on your upper or lower jaw, you can go for partial dentures. These are a cheap tooth replacement option instead of replacing front teeth with a bridge. The partial denture consists of replacement teeth attached to gum-colored plastic connected to a metal framework. A bridge replaces one or more teeth and places a crown on adjacent teeth and then attaching the fake teeth. The dentist then cements the bridge in position. This is one of the single tooth replacement options that also ensure that existing teeth do not shift.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Your Missing Teeth?
You might wonder, how much does it cost to replace all your teeth? There are many front tooth replacement options, and they all help you avoid the issues below:
Teeth Loss and Your Appearance
Losing your teeth affects your facial structure. The bone loss creates a sunken look, especially when you lose the canines or other back teeth. When you lose front teeth, the remaining teeth start to spread out from the pressure of biting. Again, the jawbone will waste away if it fails to support the root structure, which means that your facial muscles will miss optimal support.
If you fail to replace missing tooth for a long time, your mouth might appear drooped and wrinkles on your face might show more. If you avoid smiling, laughing, and talking, you might end up with a wounded esteem and, therefore, avoid social places. Can you get braces if you have a missing tooth? Yes, but the missing tooth might be the cause of the misaligned teeth.
Teeth Loss and Oral and Overall Health
Besides your looks and your confidence, a missing tooth affects your oral health. Existing teeth will migrate towards the gap. This creates misaligned teeth and can increase the chances of tooth decay and gum diseases. A missing front tooth can also lead to loss of jawbone, which subsequently affects your overall health.
Having all your teeth is crucial for talking, eating, and proper jaw structure. Losing a tooth or teeth is not natural. Each of the teeth in your mouth has a specific function. Even though they appear individually, they work together to create a healthy oral structure. Losing a tooth increases the wear and tear on the remaining teeth. This can result in chipping and cracking, making you lose more teeth.
Tooth Loss Affects Your Diet
Your front teeth cut and tear food. If you miss one or more of your front teeth, you will not bite properly. When this happens, you might choose softer foods that are easier to bite and chew. This affects your health since you avoid healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. Consequently, you miss important minerals and vitamins from your diet, and this affects your overall health.
Conclusion
Tooth replacement helps you maintain your oral hygiene and oral health. Your budget and your needs will determine the best treatment options for single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Tooth replacement cost is dependent on the method of tooth replacement, the materials of the fake teeth, your location and the experience of the dentist.
Before you consider a method of teeth replacement, you can ask the dentist questions such as how much does it cost to replace 4 teeth? You also need to ask the procedures for the different methods. If you have existing oral health conditions, talk to your dentist before any procedures. The dentist will help you chose the best tooth replacement method based on your jawbone structure and the number of teeth you miss.
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