Your Options for Replacing a Single Tooth

Tooth loss in Ajax can be upsetting, embarrassing and frustrating. It can occur due to infection and decay, or because of trauma.

Regardless of the cause, losing a tooth can affect your ability to bite and chew properly, and if the gap is right in your smile line, it can impact self-confidence. Thankfully, there are solutions to replace missing teeth in Pickering.

Why Do I Need to Restore a Missing Tooth?

If your tooth loss isn’t noticeable, you might wonder if it is necessary to replace it. Below are some reasons why it’s important to restore a missing tooth in Whitby.

• Restoring functionality. Replacing the tooth will ensure you can eat properly and comfortably.
• Protecting your existing teeth. Leaving a gap can allow neighbouring teeth to shift towards the space, destabilizing them and causing bite problems that can be tricky to correct later.
• Restoring appearance. Knowing you have a complete set of healthy, attractive teeth can boost self-confidence. Your teeth also help support your facial muscles and overall facial structure.

Potential Solutions for Tooth Loss

There are three main solutions that you may want to consider, which are:

• Partial denture.
• Traditional dental bridge.
• Dental implant.

• Partial Denture

A partial denture used to restore a single tooth is sometimes called a flipper. It consists of an acrylic base plate that supports the replacement tooth. Partial dentures are removable, so you need to remove them overnight to allow your gums to rest and recover.

Although cost-effective, a partial denture lacks stability and strength. It can be uncomfortable to wear, but it may be a useful short-term solution while you consider your treatment options.

• Traditional Dental Bridge

A traditional dental bridge is supported by crowns fitted over the teeth adjacent to the gap. The crowns support a replacement tooth, or pontic, between them, creating a strong, durable restoration.

These adjacent teeth must be reshaped, and we would then take a digital dental impression of your mouth that is used to create your custom bridge. Once the bridge is ready, it is permanently cemented onto the adjacent teeth and should look and feel quite natural.

Dental bridges in Oshawa are a popular solution for tooth loss, and with the right aftercare, they can last for years. Because they are nonremovable, they can restore your ability to bite and chew food comfortably and restore your appearance.

However, we would need to substantially reshape the adjacent teeth to prepare them for crowning. This might be useful if these teeth would benefit from crowns, but if they are perfectly healthy, strong, and nicely shaped, removing healthy tooth structure can be undesirable.

• Dental Implant

A dental implant in Newcastle is the longest-lasting treatment option. An implant is a small post made from medical-grade titanium or zirconia (a ceramic material) that is surgically inserted into your jaw. The implant fuses with your jawbone, replicating a natural tooth root. A beautiful custom crown is attached to the implant and is nonremovable.

After tooth loss, your jawbone begins to degrade and resorb quickly. Dental implants in Bowmanville are the only solution that helps protect the jawbone by preventing this resorption. This is because they act like natural tooth roots.

Dental implants in Clarington provide biting and chewing strength similar to that of natural teeth. Importantly, we don’t need to reshape adjacent teeth to fit implants.

Although the initial cost of an implant is higher, in the long term, a dental implant can be very cost-effective because it is long-lasting. With the right care, your implants should last for many years or a lifetime.

When you visit Durham Dental Solutions for tooth loss in Courtice, we can discuss all possible solutions in more detail and provide your custom treatment plan.