Losing a tooth due to trauma, decay, or gum disease in Ajax is not unusual. Other times, teeth can be genetically missing. A missing tooth can cause several problems for oral health, regardless of the reason for its loss. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth will begin to move out of place, affecting their alignment, stability, and your bite. Losing a tooth also affects the integrity of your jawbone, as without the stimulation provided by the tooth root, it begins to resorb gradually.
The good news is there are several options for replacing a missing tooth and restoring your ability to smile confidently and eat comfortably.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most advanced way to replace missing teeth and provide a reliable, long-term solution for tooth loss in Whitby. A dental implant has a small post or screw surgically inserted into the jawbone, where it becomes fused with the bone surrounding it, creating a strong anchorage point. A single dental implant can be restored with a crown that looks and feels like your real tooth. Single dental implants can be brushed and flossed just like real teeth, and the implant post helps protect the integrity of your jawbone, preventing bone loss.
Tooth Supported Bridge
A single tooth can be replaced with a tooth-supported bridge in Pickering, where the teeth on either side of the gap are prepared so crowns can be fitted over them and support a replacement tooth called a pontic. Although this option is initially less expensive than a dental implant, as the bridge begins to age, it will need replacing. At this point, it is more expensive to replace a three-tooth bridge than a single implant crown. A tooth-supported bridge will not protect and preserve the jawbone and, crucially, means potentially healthy teeth must be reshaped in preparation for the bridge.
Removable Partial Denture
The third option is to have a removable partial denture consisting of an acrylic base plate supporting the false or replacement tooth and which can be held in place by clasps fitted around your natural teeth. While a removable denture is a very economical solution, it must be taken out overnight, and the clasps may place your natural teeth under stress.
Choosing the Best Option
If you are facing tooth loss, we can help you here at Durham Dental Solutions. Ideally, it is better to plan for the replacement before removing your tooth. Our dentist can assess your mouth and discuss your dental and medical health, your aims and desires for treatment, and your budget. We can then recommend the most suitable solution for your needs. Usually, this will be a dental implant in Oshawa, as treatment is suitable for most people, and the results can be excellent. You can rest assured that we only recommend this procedure if we feel it will provide an optimal outcome and best suits your requirements.
All our dental implant treatments are digitally planned and placed using computer-guided surgery. It is a technique that helps ensure the procedure is smooth and comfortable for our patients and that healing afterward is quicker. Some people may feel apprehensive about oral surgery, but it usually takes about an hour to place a single dental implant. Once the anesthetic wears off, it’s not uncommon to experience minimal or no discomfort. We can also provide sedation dentistry in Clarington for anyone who feels a little more nervous about having any treatment. However, if dental implants in Newcastle are not for you, we can ensure you receive a suitable tooth replacement in the form of a bridge or partial denture.
