Treatment options for replacing missing teeth

Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth? If you are missing teeth, there are options and good reasons for correcting the problem.

A large space between your teeth may affect how you speak, your appearance, or how you eat. Even if it’s not noticeable, a missing molar can affect how you chew. Remaining teeth may shift and in some cases, bone loss can occur around a missing tooth. With today’s advances, you don’t have to suffer from missing teeth.

Below are some common treatment options for replacing missing teeth. Contact us about which option is best for you:

Bridges: Anchored to your adjacent teeth, these can be removable or fixed, depending on your mouth, your dentist’s recommendation and your needs. Teeth can also be replaced with a fixed bridge if there are teeth in the area that are adequate in number and sufficiently healthy and strong to support the artificial teeth. In order to fabricate a bridge, the adjacent teeth are prepared by reducing their size (or cut down) to remove all the enamel, making room for the prosthetic tooth restoration. A prosthetic tooth (or teeth) can be suspended between adjacent teeth in this way to provide a functional and cosmetic replacement for the missing tooth.

Dentures: Removable partial or full dentures can replace a single missing tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth in your upper and/or lower jaw. Dentures rely on support by the other teeth in that jaw (for partial dentures) and from mechanical support by the remaining ridge of gum and underlying bone.

Implants: Most similar to a natural tooth. With current technologies, implants offer improved longevity, strength and stability.

Contact our office for more information about improving your smile. Make an appointment at MyFortMyersDentist.com today to find out how we can help you.