Recommended Tooth Replacement Options

Despite our best efforts, there are times that any of us could lose one or more teeth. Then we’re faced with making a choice about tooth replacements. We know we need to restore our appearance and ability to talk clearly and we also need to restore our ability to eat properly. Many people have questions like these:

- How quickly can I fill in that missing front tooth?
- How important is it to replace that back tooth?
- If I am missing two or more adjacent teeth, how should I fill that big gap?
- Can I wait or do I need to replace a missing tooth now?
- What should I do if I am missing all my teeth?

We’re going to take you through the subject of tooth replacement and help you understand your choices.

One of the most important facts to realize is that when a person goes a long time without replacing one or more missing teeth, the body makes changes to adjust to that missing component. Perhaps the most important change is in the bone that previously supported those teeth. Within a few months of tooth extraction, the bone in the area begins to break down. Little by little, the components of that bone are absorbed by the body.

The less bone that remains in the area, the less stable adjacent teeth will be. Also, to one degree or another, all tooth replacement methods need healthy, stable bone to be successful in the long term. Fortunately, we have methods of replacing teeth that help prevent this kind of bone loss, which we will describe later in this article.

The other problem that can follow tooth loss is shifting teeth. These teeth may move toward the empty space and create gaps between other teeth or they may begin to tilt inward. When back teeth are missing, the relationship between the upper and lower jaw can change for the worse. As a result, there may be less space between the upper and lower jaw than there was previously; this can create oral health complications.

And, of course, it’s harder to eat normally without all one’s teeth. Foods that are easier to chew are often more processed and less nutritious so a person’s overall health may suffer.

Prompt replacement of missing teeth benefits you in a variety of ways:

1. When a person has a full set of teeth, each tooth supports and stabilizes the ones adjacent to it.
   
2. Some methods of tooth replacement (which we’ll get to in a moment) provide stimulation to the bone in the jaw, meaning that there will be little or no breakdown of bone in these areas. The stimulation of biting and chewing is necessary to keep the bone in the jaw sound and healthy.
   
3. With all teeth present, a person can choose foods by their nutritional value, like crunchy vegetables instead of overcooked ones and steak rather than pasta. There’s no longer any need to choose soft foods that are easily chewed due to missing teeth.
   
4. As mentioned above, when all back teeth are present, the correct relationship and alignment between the upper and lower jaw is preserved, eliminating stress on the temporomandibular joint near the ear.
   
5. Finally, teeth will not shift toward empty spaces, spoiling the alignment of remaining teeth and making it harder to keep them clean.
   

Of course, another reason to replace teeth that is important to most people is to maintain a beautiful smile. Many people rush to the dentist for a front tooth replacement so they can smile without embarrassment and that is certainly understandable. But, as we have mentioned, it is also vital to replace those teeth that are less visible.

Because there are a number of choices for tooth replacement, the best choice can only be made in consultation with your dentist. It’s vital to know just how healthy the existing teeth, gums and bone are. The desires, needs and budget of the patient also come into play.

At StarBrite Dental, we don’t dictate to patients what they should do. Instead, we talk to them about the choices that would work in their situation so that together, we can agree on the right treatment plan for their situation.

What follows is a description of the many options we have available for tooth replacement.

The solution many of our patients have already experienced is a fixed bridge. To replace one or more adjacent teeth, the existing teeth on either side will be prepared to accept a crown. An impression will be taken of the area and a bridge will be created in a dental lab. This bridge is composed of two crowns to fit over the prepared teeth and a false tooth or teeth to replace the missing teeth. A bridge is a simple, fast solution to missing teeth. The only drawback is that a bridge is not rooted in the jaw so chewing or biting won’t stimulate the bone in that area to keep it healthy.

Partial dentures consist of removable artificial teeth anchored to gum-colored acrylic or acrylic and metal bases. A patient’s appearance is preserved along with the ability to speak clearly. The patient’s ability to chew food is also preserved.

A partial denture may take some getting used to and there can be wear and tear on teeth that come in contact with metal hooks used to anchor the denture. Here, too, there is a lack of stimulation to the underlying bone which means bone loss will still occur. In time, this bone loss can mean that the partial denture may no longer fit and have to be redone.

The technology of providing full dentures has improved in recent years, along with an improvement in the materials available for the manufacture of dentures. We are now able to provide our patients with more comfortable dentures that look more natural and last longer. For many patients, however, we find that dentures on the lower jaw are less comfortable and so may not be their ideal solution.

One of the problems with dentures on either the upper or lower jaw is that here, too, bone loss is not prevented. This is why dentures generally need to be replaced every five years or so. The shape of the jaw bone changes over time as bone breaks down. For many people who have worn dentures for years, the lower part of the face shrinks, making them look older. The dental implant technology we will discuss next helps prevent this bone loss.

When a single tooth is lost, we recommend a dental implant as the very best solution. A single-tooth implant consists of an artificial tooth—called a “crown”—anchored to a slender titanium post that acts as the root. This post is placed in the bone of the jaw and then is allowed to heal and bond with the bone. Then the crown is securely attached to this implanted device.

Of all tooth replacement options, a dental implant is the closest to having a healthy, natural tooth in place. It will practically look, feel and act like your natural teeth. Its care is also the same as required by your natural teeth—simply brushing and flossing. When the dental implant procedure is complete, you will be able to eat whatever you want, no matter how chewy, sticky or crunchy.

One of the most positive benefits of a dental implant is that this method of tooth replacement provides stimulation to the supporting bone which prevents bone loss. For this reason, it’s an excellent idea to replace missing teeth as quickly as possible with dental implants so the bone in the area stays healthy and solid.

Just as a single tooth can be replaced by an implant, a bridge can also be anchored to two or more implants. When multiple teeth in a row are missing, it may be advisable to replace each one with a dental implant but, for some patients, placing dental implants to either side of the gap to support a bridge is a better solution. A bridge supported by two or three implants will fill a gap of three, four or more teeth and provide stimulation to the bone.

For a patient who has lost all teeth on either the top or bottom, implant-supported dentures are an excellent choice. This type of denture is securely fastened in place, meaning the patient can eat more types of food and not experience any embarrassing slipping while talking or laughing. And there’s no need to apply adhesives to the dentures.

To provide this type of denture, multiple implants are first placed in the jaw bone and then are allowed to heal fully. When they have bonded with the bone, dentures are created with attachments that can be secured to the top of the implants. The attachment between implant and denture can either be fixed, meaning that the dentures can only be removed at the dentist’s office, or they can be removable. Removable dentures are taken out for cleaning and at night before bed.

Implant-supported dentures offer our denture wearers a greatly improved patient experience.

At StarBrite Dental in Rockville, Maryland, our primary concerns are your health and the quality of your dental care. Dr. Maryam Seifi, the owner and founder of StarBrite Dental, completed her education at the University of Maryland and started her practice in 1991. Through the years, she has assembled a world-class team of technical and administrative personnel to maintain the high standards she has set for every aspect this practice.

Dr. Seifi has herself received numerous awards and recognitions for the superb technical care and personalized attention she shows every patient. It’s her philosophy that patients fully understand their choices for restoration of dental health and that they are comfortable with every step of their treatment.

For patients receiving tooth replacement procedures, Dr. Seifi and her supporting staff have all undergone advanced training in providing these services. Their technical education and extensive experience are your best guarantee of a comfortable and successful procedure.

Every tooth replacement procedure begins with an accurate and detailed examination of the patient’s current health to ensure that any barrier to successful treatment is eliminated before treatment starts. You will know the reasons for our recommendations before any decision is made and what choices are available to you. Your treatment plan will always be finalized with your input.

The quality of the materials we use during your care and the dental labs we choose for dentures, bridges or other restorations will always be the best available. We know well that any other choice could lead to the failure of your treatment or discomfort for you. That’s why we never cut corners at StarBrite Dental. We work with only top-quality labs which use high-grade materials and are located near our practice so if there are any problems in quality or service, we can quickly resolve them. It’s not unusual to see technicians from our dental lab in our office to verify what some of our patients may need.

We will never settle for lower-quality materials or services for our patients. We know that higher quality means more comfort, better health and greatly improved results for every case. A better-quality replacement tooth will last much longer, function better and ultimately, be the most economical solution to missing teeth.

If you or a loved one needs replacements for missing teeth, please let us perform a free comprehensive examination with any x-rays required to determine which tooth replacement options offer the best results. We will be very happy to recommend the most beneficial options to restore and complete your beautiful and fully functional smile. Call us at (301) 770-1070 today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you achieve your oral health goals.