People often consider missing teeth to be a cosmetic issue. However, tooth loss can cause far more problems than an imperfect smile. Even a single lost tooth can weaken the structural integrity of your mouth. Missing several teeth leaves you vulnerable to problems such as:
Fortunately, you have a few options to replace missing teeth, making it easy to replace a single tooth or several. Benedict Kim, DDS, and the team at A Caring Dental Group in Cleveland, Ohio, can help you find the best replacement solutions for your missing teeth.
We usually recommend two primary options for missing teeth: dentures or dental implants. Each treatment has pros and cons, so choosing the right one depends on numerous factors.
The first step in assessing the best option for replacing your missing teeth involves a thorough dental exam. This gives your dentist the opportunity to evaluate your oral health and treat any underlying conditions that may have led to your tooth loss, like gum disease or tooth decay.
Dentures seem to have a bad reputation, but their quality and appearance have improved dramatically in recent years. They’re customized to fit you, and they’re manufactured from materials that look more like real teeth than dentures of the past.
One significant advantage of dentures is their simplicity. Most people already understand the basics of how dentures work — they sit on top of your gums, held in place by suction — and the process for getting them is usually fairly straightforward.
The simplicity of dentures is also what some people dislike. They’re removable, not permanently fixed in place, and getting used to them can take time. You may struggle at first when eating or speaking as you learn to navigate life with dentures.
When you’re missing several teeth, we start by taking impressions and precise measurements to ensure your dentures fit your mouth perfectly. Once you start wearing them, we make sure you’re adjusting to life with dentures comfortably. We schedule regular appointments where we check your oral health and make adjustments to your dentures as needed.
When replacing teeth, dental implants are considered the industry gold standard. This solution is an excellent option if you’re in overall good health and your jawbone and gums are healthy.
What sets dental implants apart is that they’re permanently anchored into your jaw — implants aren’t removable. This approach creates a replacement option that looks, functions, and feels more like natural teeth. You’re unlikely to have problems adjusting to eating and speaking that you might have with dentures. On top of that, dental implants usually last longer than dentures — even 20 years or more.
When you’re missing several teeth, the surgically placed implant posts serve an important purpose of keeping your jawbone healthy. Like your natural tooth roots, the implants stimulate the bone tissue to regenerate. This helps prevent bone loss and additional tooth loss.
However, getting dental implants is far more involved than getting dentures. It takes multiple appointments that may need to get spaced out by weeks or months. Plus, because it’s a surgical procedure, you need to be healthy enough to undergo surgery.
Do you have several missing teeth? Don’t wait to reach out to A Caring Dental Group so we can restore your smile. Book an appointment online or call today. We’re happy to assess your oral health, discuss your goals, and make suggestions about which option will likely work best for you.
