Options for Replacing Missing Teeth: What Procedures Are Recommended for Missing Front Teeth?

There are many options for replacing missing teeth, even if they are your front teeth that are missing. Missing front teeth can severely hurt a person’s self-esteem and confidence because the missing teeth are right where everyone can see them. However, there are solutions to that problem. Read on to learn more. Your dentist will be able to tell you which treatment is best for you.

Dental implants

Dental implants are one of the best solutions for replacing missing front teeth. Dental implants work by anchoring the crown of the implant to your jawbone via a metal screw. The process for this technique requires multiple office visits. It is also one of the costliest solutions to replace missing teeth (it can cost $3,000-$6,000), but it pays off because dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth. Dental implants are also a long-lasting fix to the problem of missing teeth. Dental implants can last the rest of your life if you take good care of them.

Implant-supported bridges

Implant-supported bridges are a solution for replacing missing front teeth that involves replacing multiple missing teeth in a row. Rather than each crown being anchored by a screw, only the two end implants involve screws. The pros of implant-supported bridges are that they can be an economical way to replace multiple teeth, implant-supported bridges have the same effectiveness as dental implants, and they closely resemble your natural teeth. The cons of implant-supported bridges are that they cannot replace a single tooth, they will eventually need to be replaced, and the procedure involves several trips to the dentist’s office.

Tooth-supported bridges are another solution for replacing missing front teeth. Tooth-supported bridges use your teeth to support a bridge, rather than being bridged by two dental implants like with implant-supported bridges. The procedure is performed over the course of a few visits and involves placing a crown on the teeth next to the missing teeth, and it is then cemented into place. The pros of tooth-supported bridges are that they offer the same realistic look and feel as dental implants, the procedure is not invasive and does not require any surgery, and tooth-supported bridges are more affordable than dental implants. However, the cons of tooth-supported bridges are that the adjacent teeth where the bridges are added need to be filed down to fit the crowns, and this increases the chances of infection over time, the nearby teeth can be damaged if the bridge does not fit correctly, and food particles can get trapped beneath the bridge, which can increase the risk of infection and bone loss.

Removable partial dentures

Removable partial dentures are a more cost-effective solution to replacing missing front teeth. Rather than a screw implanted into your jawbone, the removable partial dentures are held in place by a metal clasp that sits on the surface and is visible, which is one of the downsides of the procedure. However, this is a good solution for those who cannot afford more expensive treatments.