With so many options for replacing missing teeth, it can be confusing to figure out which one is best for you. Each replacement option is designed to return functionality and appearance to your teeth, but they differ in several ways.
The four most common options for replacing missing teeth include:
These options differ in their stability, cost, and lifetime. Speaking with a dentist about your health and cosmetic goals will let them determine what replacement option will help you the most.
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option. Usually, dental implants are used to replace one tooth, as surgery is required to insert an implant. There are several types of dental implants, including ones that are attached to the jawbone (endosteal), ones that are attached to the gums (subperiosteal), and full-set implants (all-on-4). Adequate jawbone density is required for implants that are inserted into the jawbone. Because implants are inserted into the gums and jawbone, they are the most secure type of tooth replacement. Due to their stability, implants are the most expensive of the options for replacing missing teeth.
An implant-supported bridge is an option for patients that wish to replace multiple teeth in a row. In an implant-supported bridge, two implants are inserted on either side of a gap of teeth. A fixture, or bridge, is secured between the implants. This bridge replaces the teeth in the gap. Getting an implant-supported bridge to replace a gap would require less surgery than replacing each tooth with a dental implant. However, because the bridge is not implanted, an implant-supported bridge is not as secure as a dental implant and must be changed every few years.
A tooth-supported bridge is very similar to an implant-supported bridge, but healthy teeth are used instead of implants to secure the bridge. To attach a tooth-supported bridge, a dentist attaches crowns to the healthy teeth. The bridge is then cemented to the crowns to replace the multiple missing teeth. Since there are no implants, receiving a tooth-supported bridge does not require surgery and is less expensive than tooth replacements that involve surgery. However, it is also less secure.
Like the tooth-support bridge, receiving dentures requires no surgery, as well as no procedure. Removable dentures are held in place with clasps. Complete dentures are used to replace all of a person’s teeth. Of the most common options for replacing missing teeth, dentures are the most affordable. However, they are also the least secure and must be removed daily for cleaning.
Of the most common options for replacing missing teeth, dental implants are the most secure but require healthy jawbone tissue to insert. If multiple teeth need to be replaced, an implant-supported or tooth-supported bridge can fill the gap. For those on a budget, dentures can be used to replace up to an entire set of teeth.
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