Partially Edentulous Arch
When you are missing some of your teeth (a condition known as a partially edentulous arch), it is imperative that you do something. Delaying treatment is never a good idea, because the medical impact of doing nothing is worse than you probably assume. Missing teeth will cause other teeth to grow out of alignment. Cheek muscles will cave in and wrinkle. A person can start looking older than they really are, and the jaw bone will begin to deteriorate due to the absence of a tooth root to grow around. You do not want this to happen to you.
Fortunately, you have more than one option. These choices include the following:
· A bridge
· Implant-supported crowns or a bridge
· A partial denture
Bridges
There are several types of dental bridges you can have placed in your mouth to substitute for missing teeth. Before we look at these options, let’s first understand what a dental bridge is.
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that is attached to the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. These teeth work as anchors, holding the bridge in place and providing support. A bridge is fixed in the mouth and is therefore more stable and secure.
The problem, however, is the effect a bridge can have on surrounding teeth. In order to place the bridge in the first place, we have to reduce tooth surfaces in order to make it fit. This makes the teeth more vulnerable to decay. In severe cases, root canals eventually have to be done on some of these teeth.
However, getting a bridge requires us to reduce the size of the supporting teeth, and reducing teeth can sometimes lead to decay and the need for root canal therapy.
This type of dental bridge is called a fixed or non-removable bridge. It is commonly used as a restoration for an edentulous arch. A second type of bridge is supported by dental implants. This eliminates the need to use surrounding teeth as brackets. This is better for your teeth, although it is also more expensive.
Implants
You can also get dental implants as replacements for missing teeth. Implants use a titanium post to substitute for the tooth roots of missing teeth. The post supports a porcelain crown that is by all accounts the best possible and longest lasting tooth replacement. Not only does the crown act as a fully functional tooth, but it looks realistic. The post mimics a tooth root just enough to fool the jawbone into thinking a tooth root is still there, so bone recession is prevented.
Implants do require surgery, and recovery time can be several months. They are also expensive.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures can also works as missing tooth replacements. Of course, this is not the very best restoration for a partially edentulous arch, but it may be the most affordable option for you in the beginning. There are several types of partial dentures we can make for you. We can fit you with an all-acrylic flipper, which is a form of provisional partial denture. We can also fit you with a metal-based conventional partial denture if you prefer. For patients that need additional support for their restorations, implant supported dentures are also sometimes used.
Fortunately, you have more than one option. These choices include the following:
· A bridge
· Implant-supported crowns or a bridge
· A partial denture
Bridges
There are several types of dental bridges you can have placed in your mouth to substitute for missing teeth. Before we look at these options, let’s first understand what a dental bridge is.
A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that is attached to the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. These teeth work as anchors, holding the bridge in place and providing support. A bridge is fixed in the mouth and is therefore more stable and secure.
The problem, however, is the effect a bridge can have on surrounding teeth. In order to place the bridge in the first place, we have to reduce tooth surfaces in order to make it fit. This makes the teeth more vulnerable to decay. In severe cases, root canals eventually have to be done on some of these teeth.
However, getting a bridge requires us to reduce the size of the supporting teeth, and reducing teeth can sometimes lead to decay and the need for root canal therapy.
This type of dental bridge is called a fixed or non-removable bridge. It is commonly used as a restoration for an edentulous arch. A second type of bridge is supported by dental implants. This eliminates the need to use surrounding teeth as brackets. This is better for your teeth, although it is also more expensive.
Implants
You can also get dental implants as replacements for missing teeth. Implants use a titanium post to substitute for the tooth roots of missing teeth. The post supports a porcelain crown that is by all accounts the best possible and longest lasting tooth replacement. Not only does the crown act as a fully functional tooth, but it looks realistic. The post mimics a tooth root just enough to fool the jawbone into thinking a tooth root is still there, so bone recession is prevented.
Implants do require surgery, and recovery time can be several months. They are also expensive.
Partial dentures
Partial dentures can also works as missing tooth replacements. Of course, this is not the very best restoration for a partially edentulous arch, but it may be the most affordable option for you in the beginning. There are several types of partial dentures we can make for you. We can fit you with an all-acrylic flipper, which is a form of provisional partial denture. We can also fit you with a metal-based conventional partial denture if you prefer. For patients that need additional support for their restorations, implant supported dentures are also sometimes used.
Labels: cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic removable partial dentures, missing teeth replacements, partially edentulous arch
posted by Dental Expert at
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