Living with missing teeth can leave you with short and long term disadvantages. In the short term, you may not smile as much, and you might have trouble when trying to eat your favorite foods. If you have missing teeth for a long time, it can affect your other teeth and jaw bone, causing them to merge closer together or shrink. In this post, we’ll walk you through common dental options for missing teeth.
We have restorative treatments that are ideal for every type of patient at our dental offices in Mound and Chaska, MN!
3 Ways To Restore Your Smile
While dentures are the most common way to replace a number of missing teeth, each treatment comes with its own pros and cons. For example, dental implants are the optimal treatment for restoring your missing teeth, but they can also the most expensive of the three options. A dental bridge can quickly cover a gap where you have a missing tooth. Yet while bridges are affordable, they do not last as long as implants. Here’s some more information on each of these dental options for missing teeth. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have!
Dental Implants – High-Quality & Durability
If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants may be the best option for restoring them. The primary reason for this is that dental implants are the only restorative treatment that prevents your jawbone from shrinking. The stimulation provided by the others simply isn’t enough. Other reasons why dental implants are the ultimate restoration treatment include:
- Superior Durability. Eat steak, apples, and any foods you want
- Can Last A Lifetime. If properly cared for, dental implants can last up to 40 years
- Easy Maintenance. Simply brush and floss your dental implants like regular teeth
- Fully-Restored Speaking Ability. No need to worry about lisping or awkward difficulties
- Most Natural Appearance. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
If you prioritize the absolute best possible restoration, even if it’s not covered by insurance, then dental implants are the optimal choice. A consultation is necessary to see if you’re right for dental implants.
Dentures – Most Common Choice
There are about 35 million Americans who don’t have teeth, and 90% of them choose to replace their teeth with dentures. It’s important to note that dentures do not have the same restorative advantages as dental implants, but they’re exponentially less expensive and are often covered at least partly by insurance. Nevertheless, dentures are a major upgrade from life with exposed missing teeth. Among their advantages are the ability to increase your chewing and speaking abilities and to greatly improve your aesthetics.
Are Dentures Right for You?
Those who lack the months it takes for dental implants or those who don’t qualify or have trouble affording implants may choose dentures as a more practical option.
Dental Bridge – Replace A Tooth Surrounded By Other Teeth
Like dentures, dental bridges offer a fast, affordable option replacing a missing tooth. The caveat with a dental bridge is that your missing tooth must be surrounded by other healthy teeth. Those surrounding teeth must be filed down so they’re better able to support the bridge.
Is A Dental Bridge Right For You?
Patients who are missing a tooth that is surrounded by healthy teeth may choose a dental bridge for the speed and low-cost of the procedure. Ask our dental team if a dental bridge is the ideal restoration for you.
Make An Appointment Today
Our dentists in Chaska and Mound, MN are highly trained and deeply familiar with the different types of restorative treatments available to replace missing teeth. We’ll be able to explain your options in a clear way, so you can choose the one that’s best for your situation. Why waste another day with missing teeth when our treatments can restore your smile?