What are Some Alternatives to Dental Implants?

Whether you’ve lost your teeth due to trauma, poor oral care, oral diseases, accidents or other causes, replacing the missing or damaged teeth is necessary. However, missing teeth isn’t just a cosmetic problem or part of the aging journey.

Missing teeth can cause significant harm to your confidence or your health and appearance. Most importantly, when missing teeth create gaps, they can cause your neighboring teeth to shift to the space caused by bite alignment problems and jaw stress.

When it comes to tooth replacements, implants are the best option as they:

• Last longer with proper care
• Offer you a permanent solution
• You will have a perfect fit
• Function and look like your original teeth
• It doesn’t require adjustments to the adjustment teeth

However, they are other tooth replacement options that one might consider as an alternative to dental implants. They include:

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are recommended when one has one or more missing teeth. Crowns on either side of your missing tooth support it. Bridges are fully fixed in the mouth and don’t slip out or become loose, allowing one to eat and speak easily.

Dental bridges look like your natural teeth, and you can easily clean and maintain them. Also, crowns on neighboring teeth help prevent them from damage and drifting out of their position. However, one must have a healthy and strong adjacent team to support the dental bridge.

Dentures

These are comfortable and removable teeth replacement options, and they are also natural looking. In addition, one can choose between partial and full dentures depending on the number of teeth to be restored.

Partial Dentures

These dentures are a good choice for people who want to replace their missing teeth, even in the lower or upper jaw. Partial dentures are made of gum-colored material that helps hold replacement teeth and attach to your supporting teeth. Sometimes someone may need a dental crown, and they are supporting too to ensure the dentures fit well.

Partial dentures are economical and rapid solutions, but most patients tend not to like them because they are often uncomfortable and bulky. Also, sometimes they may feel loose, causing embarrassment and difficulty eating. In addition, one has to remove them at night.

Full Dentures

Complete dentures are recommended when one has lost all teeth or the existing teeth need to be removed due to an infection, decay or other dental problems. A complete upper denture will be held in place by forming a seal with the mouth roof, bone ridges and gums. While a complete lower denture, it’s held in place by anchors, which are dental implants.

Implanted Supported Dentures

Besides partial or full dental implants, one can choose an implant-supported denture. They are ideal for people who want to improve denture stability and bite function. Implant-supported dentures are highly functional and are supported by and attached to implants. However, it requires one to have a sufficient and healthy jawbone to support the implants.

Flipper

Flippers are natural-looking temporary partial dentures that your dentist in Peoria attaches to the sides of your missing tooth. Flipper relies on the pilot of your mouth or suction of the mouth roof and helps prevent the adjacent teeth from drifting. However, it’s easy to wear and doesn’t require metal clasps. Although they are less expensive, they are not a permanent solution.

Resin Bonded Bridge

These are a type of dental bridges that feel and function like your natural teeth. The only difference is that the pontic or false teeth are attached with resin rather than using the help of the adjacent teeth in dental bridges. Your dentist in Westbrook Village Dental places the resin behind your teeth to hold the first teeth in position. This process is less invasive, and your dentist can reverse it if required.

Implant Supported Bridge

This is recommended if someone has several missing teeth. The lost teeth will be supported by an adjacent tip held in place with dental implants. They give you a beautiful and natural look while enhancing your functionality and oral health.

If you’re suffering from missing teeth and looking for the best option to give you perfect teeth, contact our team at Westbrook Village Dental to schedule an appointment today.