Options for missing teeth
If you are missing a tooth, or have multiple missing teeth, the first and most obvious option available is to do nothing. If you are secure in how it looks, leaving a gap in your teeth is a viable option. However, it may not be recommended, as it can cause other teeth to shift as well, potentially affecting your bite and your ability to chew.
Dr. Sam Sherif is a leading cosmetic dentist at Veritas Dental Care, located in Harley Street, London. He believes that having healthy, attractive teeth can bring not only psychological benefits associated with appearance, but also improvements in overall quality of life, allowing people to eat, speak and smile effectively and confidently.
So if you do decide to turn to cosmetic dentistry as a solution for missing teeth, what options are available?
Bridges
Dental bridges have often been seen as the standard option for people missing individual teeth. In most cases, a bridge consists of two crowns, which are attached to your natural teeth, with a false tooth in the middle. The crowns are permanently attached to the false tooth, meaning the bridge cannot be removed for cleaning.
A less common type is called an adhesive bridge and has ‘wings’, which are attached to the back of the supporting teeth. When looked after carefully, bridges can last for over 10 years. However, they can present challenges in terms of cleaning the surrounding area, and if the supporting teeth are compromised, the bridge will be too.
Dentures
Dentures consist of either a plastic or a metal framework, or plate, which carries false teeth. These false teeth are typically made of plastic or porcelain. Partial dentures can be used to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth, while a full denture can replace an entire top or bottom row.
Depending on the type of denture used and the location of the missing teeth, dentures may be held in place by metal clasps, which will usually be hidden from view. Alternatively, they may be kept in place by flexing against your other teeth, through a combination of suction and your facial muscles, or through the use of an adhesive cream.
Dental Implants
The final option available to people with missing teeth is a dental implant. With an implant, a small metal rod and made from either titanium or titanium alloy and is inserted into the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth. It will then hold a false tooth, or multiple false teeth, in place.
As long as the metal rod is accepted by the body, your jawbone should fuse with the metal rod, keeping it secure. Successful dental implants provide a long-term solution, lasting for more than 20 years in a person with healthy gums. That said, they are the most expensive option and insertion requires the use of surgery.
Make an Appointment
If you have missing teeth and wish to discuss one of the options listed above, you can call Dr. Sam Sherif at Veritas Dental Care on 020 7580 5954 and make an appointment.