Tips for Keeping Your Children’s Teeth Healthy

Posted on: 5 December 2016

If you are missing a few teeth in your mouth and would like to get them replaced, you have several different options to choose from. The main three are dental implants, partial dentures, and dental bridges. These three options are all used to replace missing teeth, but choosing dental implants is often the best option for many people. Here are two of the top reasons you may want to consider choosing dental implants over the other two options.

They Are Permanent

Of the three options you can choose from, dental implants are the only permanent option. When a dentist installs an implant, it is an artificial tooth that is connected to an implant, which is fused into your bone. When this fusion takes place, it holds the tooth in place permanently. This tooth will not move, fall out, or come loose. It is almost as good as a regular tooth. Dental implants are typically the costliest option when compared to the other choices, but they also last longer than the other two choices.

A dental bridge is considered semi-permanent because it is cemented to the teeth next to it, but it will not last as long as a dental implant. Dental bridges can also last a long time, but typically they will only last for about 5–15 years. The lifespan of the bridge will depend on how well the bridge was made and how well you take care of your mouth and oral needs.

The third option is partial dentures. If you choose partial dentures to replace your missing teeth, a plate will be made that has the artificial teeth attached to it, and you can remove this plate. Compared to the other options, partial dentures will normally wear out the fastest. A typical partial denture will only last for about five years. After that, it may start fitting improperly due to changes in your age, size, and weight. Over time, the plate may also break, or parts may come loose.

They Do Not Affect Other Teeth Or Parts Of Your Mouth

When an implant is fused into your jawbone, it is placed only in the area of the missing tooth. This implant will not affect any other teeth in your mouth. The only area affected is the spot where the tooth is missing.

Partial dentures will not necessarily affect other teeth in your mouth, but wearing one can make it difficult for you to speak and eat. In addition, because the plate is not attached permanently to your teeth, it can come loose, and food can easily end up getting trapped underneath it.

A bridge is something that requires replacing a missing tooth by using teeth next to it. If there are teeth on both side of the missing gap, a dentist creates a bridge by making the artificial tooth and two crowns for the teeth next to it. To get it installed, the dentist will have to prepare these other teeth for the crowns that will be placed over them. In this case, your dentist will have to remove parts of these good teeth just to put the bridge in.

As you can see, out of the three options you have, dental implants are usually the best option for replacing missing teeth. Before you can get implants, you will need to visit a dentist such as Joe Rosenberg, DDS, who offers them to find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants. To learn more, contact a dental implant dentist today to schedule a consultation appointment in order to find out more information about all three options.