Missing Teeth
There are three basic options for you when you are missing several teeth:
Dental Implants
Any time there are multiple missing teeth, your best option for replacing them is with dental implants. With this option, there is no need to involve or weaken adjacent teeth, and the replacements are anchored in the jawbone, the way your natural teeth were when you had them. It's the closest thing to having your own teeth back.
Dental Bridge
If you are missing one tooth, a dental bridge may be the best option. The main disadvantage is that you have to place a crown on each adjacent tooth. Crowns are placed on these teeth, and a false tooth is suspended between them. This is a dental bridge. If these adjacent teeth need crowns anyway, a bridge could be your most sensible choice. But if they don't, it may not be a sensible option. For more information, see our dental implant vs bridge page.
But if you are missing several teeth, a dental bridge becomes even less desirable. With longer spans bridges flex, become more unstable, and put excessive stress on your remaining teeth. Fortunately, we have dental implants that can address these situations quite satisfactorily. But a dental bridge could be possible for you.
A Removable Appliance for Missing Teeth
Having removable teeth can be uncomfortable, insecure, and can cause other problems in your mouth down the road. However, this is usually the least expensive option for replacing several teeth.
If you are missing some but not all of your teeth, the choice would be a removable partial denture. The traditional way to fasten down a partial denture is with a metal framework and metal clasps that clip to your existing teeth. These clasps are sometimes visible when you speak and have the potential for causing embarrassment. Newer methods use high-strength plastics, sometimes with translucent parts that can be easily concealed. Or we can use precision attachments that attach to non-visible parts of teeth. For more information about this option, see our partial dentures page.
At Glenview Dental Excellence, while we want our patients to have the very best care, we recognize that budget considerations are a key part of any dental care decision. If you are missing teeth, we will present you with all your options and discuss the pros and cons of each choice. In the end, the decision is yours.
To make it easy for you, we offer a complimentary consultation. Please come see us, and we will let you know what options you have for your situation and what the costs will be. Visit our make an appointment page, or call 888-711-4602.