If you've lost a tooth or have gotten one extracted, it is very beneficial for your oral health to fill the space behind. Here are some tooth replacement options to choose from.
If you don't fill a space where a tooth was extracted, the surrounding teeth can shift out of their proper position. It can also cause the supporting structures of the teeth, in particular the jaw bone, to deteriorate over time, causing facial collapse.
The following is a brief explanation of the tooth replacement options we offer at Surdel Dental Centre.
Dentures: Full & Partial
Dentures are removable dental appliances that replace missing teeth and the tissue surrounding them.
You can get full dentures to replace either a full upper or a full lower jaw of teeth. Or, you can get a partial denture to replace a single missing tooth, or a few in a row.
In the past, dentures used to be made out of strange materials such as lead, human teeth, cow teeth, and even elephant ivory, but fortunately, today we have access to better materials!
Today, dentures can be made of a variety of materials, mostly different types of resin, or porcelain. The framework that supports the teeth of the dentures is usually made of a rigid acrylic resin, or a flexible nylon polymer.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are permanent teeth replacement options which is affixed to the teeth which are on either side of the gap. They literally bridge the gap left by missing teeth.
A bridge is made up of false teeth (pontics) which can be made of gold, porcelain, alloys, or a combination of these materials. They are attached on either side by two or more crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap, called the abutment teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are also permanent replacements for missing teeth. They are essentially tiny titanium rods that are implanted into your jawbone, which are then capped with a dental crown.
Dental Implants look, feel and behave just like natural teeth do. With proper care, they’ll last you a lifetime.