A front tooth can go missing for many reasons. You could lose one in an accident, get injured during a sports game, or fall victim to dental decay or gum disease. Regardless of why you have an incomplete smile, you may be curious about your treatment possibilities. What happens if you do not replace the missing tooth? If you want to replace the tooth, what are your options? should you choose a fixed bridge or a dental implant? This blog post explains your options.
What if You Do Not Replace the Tooth?
In order to save money, some people choose not to replace a missing front tooth. However, Dr. Makadia and our team recommend against that course of action for a few reasons:
- A missing front tooth can interfere with your ability to bite certain foods.
- A lost tooth can contribute to shifting of other teeth and loss of additional teeth.
- You may begin to feel self-conscious about how a missing front tooth affects your appearance.
Fixed Bridge
One popular way to replace a missing front tooth is via a fixed bridge. This is a type of prosthetic that uses crowns placed on the remaining teeth to support an artificial tooth between them. Bridges tend to be sturdy, and they can look quite natural. The treatment process is fairly fast, and the results can last for a decade or longer.
Dental bridges require that the abutment teeth (adjacent teeth that support the bridge) be modified. Bridges also only replace the crown (top part) of missing teeth, rather than rebuilding them from the root upward, as the missing tooth roots are not replaced.
Partial Denture
If you are missing a few teeth toward the front of your mouth and want a quick temporary or semi-permanent solution, you can get partial denture, a removable prosthetic that can fill in gaps in your smile. Partials are cost-effective and relatively easy to adjust. However, they are not as functional, stable, or long-lasting as other treatment possibilities.
Dental Implant
Our dental team may recommend a dental implant to replace a missing front tooth. Typically, dental implants cost more than other options and come with a longer treatment timeline, but they offer benefits that you may not get with other options.
For example, an implant replaces a lost tooth from the root upward, so you can expect it to be extremely sturdy. Plus, no treatments on adjacent teeth is required in most cases. Implants can also last for many years
Are you in the process of considering your options for replacing a missing tooth? Dr. Makadia and our team will be happy to explain the pros and cons of every treatment that might be suitable for your situation.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Makadia has been practicing dentistry for more than 30 years. He prides himself on providing top-quality restorations, including bridges, dentures, dental implants, and more. He loves to help patients improve their oral health and find renewed confidence in their smiles! To learn more about how he and our team may be able to serve you, contact Sunrise Dental Service in Bohemia at 631-567-5566