WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?

Complete/full or partial dentures

Complete dentures or full dentures are designed to replace a full set of teeth. They can either fit on the upper arch, lower arch or both, and are designed to be easily removed, whether it’s to clean your denture or simply to give your gums a rest. To help support your mouth and gums, you may choose to use a denture adhesive such as those offered in the Polident. Denture adhesives can help ensure that your dentures are kept firmly in place, and help block food particles from becoming trapped underneath them.

Your dentist may recommend partial dentures if you only have a few teeth missing. These clip onto any remaining natural teeth and can help you feel more comfortable if you are only missing a small number of teeth.

Fixed replacement teeth

If you would prefer a more fixed replacement solution, your dentist may recommend a fixed prosthetic to replace your missing teeth. There are several options to help you find the one that suits your lifestyle.

Artificial Crowns: Artificial crowns are made up of replacement teeth, which fill the gap left in your mouth. These are held in place by attaching to your natural teeth.

Implants: Acting like a normal tooth, a root implant is surgically placed into the bone. These can be ‘loaded’ with a dental prosthetic such as a crown or a bridge.

Implant-supported fixed dentures: Your new teeth will be built on a metal and acrylic base (a bridge). Screws are then placed into your mouth to help keep the denture fixed in, which in turn secure the teeth into root implants that are surgically inserted into your jaw bone. The bridge is fixed with screws and can be removed if necessary.

Implant-supported removable dentures: This kind of overdenture also works with dental implants and attachments. In this case, the attachments are embedded into the acrylic, which can be fitted on and off the implants. Two or three implants are surgically placed around the curve of your jaw that the overdenture clips on to, for better stability in your mouth.

A dental prosthetic can boost your confidence and your dentist will be able to talk to you about your options for replacing missing teeth.

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