Have you lost a tooth or teeth and need a replacement? The good news is that today we have more choices for replacing lost teeth then ever before.

First of all, why replace the missing teeth?

When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth have to do not only their own work, but also that of the missing teeth.  The remaining teeth become overstressed and eventually their condition deteriorates as well.  Additionally, your quality of life is diminished.  You cannot chew as comfortably, you start to avoid certain foods you used to enjoy which affects your nutritional needs.  Furthermore, the teeth surrounding the space may start to tilt. The remaining teeth in the opposing jaw may also begin to grow out of the bone. Finally, missing teeth lead to an unpleasant, dysfunctional smile.

Your Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Options for replacing teeth include removable appliances, fixed bridges and implants. What is the right option?  Factors to consider are not only which option has the greatest likelihood of long-term success, but also which option creates the function, comfort and confidence you want and deserve.

Removable appliances such as dentures and removable partials are often the quickest and cheapest in the short-term. However, they do have significant long-term limitations and risks. Teeth that hold removable partials often become loose and have to be extracted. The bone underneath a partial is lost, making it more difficult to wear the appliance. Additionally, if you wish to get implants in the future, more complex procedures may be required to rebuild the bone lost under the partial before the implant is placed.

Food gets caught underneath the partial. Often you must remove the partial after (or sometimes while) eating to clean food caught underneath. Removable partials also have approximately one-third the chewing efficiency of natural teeth. Sunken cheeks and excessive wrinkles may result from lost teeth. Jaw joint (TMJ) problems can become more pronounced without firm support in the back of the jaws.

Dentures may pose similar but more pronounced problems. In many cases dentures move around while you are talking and eating, creating both uncomfortable and awkward situations. Some individuals become reclusive due to fear or embarrassment of eating, talking or even singing. Psychological depression and social isolation may result. Bone loss in the jaws can occur rapidly and dramatically. As much as 1-3mm of bone height can be lost in the first year of wearing a denture causing the denture to become loose. Getting proper nutrition and pleasure value while eating is greatly diminished as denture wearers have approximately 10% of the chewing efficiency they had with natural teeth. Some studies have reported more digestive problems in people who wear denture versus those who have there own teeth.

Replacing a single tooth with a dental implant preserves the surrounding teeth.

Some facts to consider when replacing a tooth or teeth with a fixed bridge:

• If you have teeth with no fillings or only small fillings on either side of the missing tooth space, those teeth will have to be ground down significantly for a fixed bridge.
  

• Fixed bridges are prone to getting tooth decay around the edges where the crown meets the tooth. 10-15% of the fixed bridges will get decay in ten years and more than 35% will decay in 15 years.
  

• Teeth prepared for fixed bridges are more likely to need future root canal therapy.
  

• Teeth that support fixed bridges that have had root canal treatment are more likely to have complications, such as, cracked roots and loose posts.
  

• If the tooth supporting the fixed bridge is in the lower jaw and that tooth has root canal treatment, there is a greater chance of complications.
  

• Keeping fixed bridges clean from plaque with floss is more challenging; food getting stuck is a problem.
  

• The long-term survival rate of a fixed bridge is even poorer  when you add in other factors such as: bone loss due to periodontal disease, grinding and clenching.
  

• Fixed bridges need to be replaced. The costs of replacing fixed bridges need to be factored into cost analyses when deciding on treatment.

• Teeth that support a removable plate will become loose and weakened. Often they must be extracted. This is especially true if they have had root canal therapy.

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The Answer

So what is the answer? Dental Implants are a safe and effective way to replace lost teeth. The process is simple and starts with a call to our office for a free, no obligation consultation.

Dr. Komarnyckyj will meet with you and do a thorough examination of your mouth and review your medical history. He will also review your dental x-rays to make sure he has a complete picture of your dental heath. Additionally, he will take the time you need to answer all your questions regarding the treatment.  Most patients find the implant placement much easier than they anticipated. The comment we hear most frequently is "If I had known it was going to be so easy, I would have done this much sooner."

Implant placement can be done under local anesthetic.  Once the procedure is complete, you simply go home and relax.  In most cases it takes approximately four to eight weeks for the bone to bind to the implant. Once that process is complete, you are ready to return to your restorative dentist for crown placement and enjoy your new smile!

Nature gave us two sets of teeth -  dental implants give us the opportunity for a third.  Contact us today to learn what is the best choice for you!