Close your eyes and imagine, what would you do if you had a big event to attend, like your best friend’s wedding, and you broke your tooth… what would you do?
You certainly can’t attend with a huge gap in your teeth.
You need a tooth replacement; here are some options you may want to consider.
Why Teeth are replaced:
It’s no secret that your teeth are tough, but did you know that your teeth are in fact harder than any bone in your entire body! While this may come as a surprise to some, when you think about it this certainly does make a great deal of sense as your teeth have the extremely important task of breaking down your food for consumption. However even as tough as your teeth are, there are many factors such as hard foods, acidic substances, or simply neglect and old age, that can potentially damage or destroy your teeth; even an accident. Therefore tooth replacement is necessary if damage or decay occurs, and this can be accomplished several different ways to meet one’s particular needs.
What Tooth Replacement Options are Available?
There are three primary tooth replacement options available when having one or more teeth replaced, each of these options are designed to accommodate different circumstances surrounding the patient’s need for one or several replacements, and each option presents their own advantages and disadvantages.
Option 1: Removable Partial
Often considered the most economical of the tooth replacement options, the removable partial denture or RPD, is as its name implies a removable row of porcelain dentures that can be used both as functional teeth and to serve aesthetic purposes. While the RPD is a popular tooth replacement option due to it being least expensive of the options, and for being the most accommodating for older individuals who may need several teeth replaced. It does present certain drawbacks as well. Over the years there have been quite a few instances of RPD’s getting lost or going missing, particularly among elderly patients or folks on vacation, leading some to seek a more permanent solution.
Option 2: Fixed Bridge
A bridge or sometimes called fixed partial denture is much like the removable partial, a row of artificial porcelain teeth. However, the differences between an RPD and a bridge is not only the fact that the bridge is fixed (or non-removable) but also that the dental bridge provides greater comfort while chewing, requires less cleaning, and is as convincing as actual teeth. Although more expensive than the RPD, the bridge is in many ways more effective and requires little time to be created.
Related Article: What I Wish I Knew Before I Got My Dentures
Option 3: Dental Implant
The third and perhaps most coveted tooth replacement option is the dental implant. Unlike the two previous options, a dental implant is more like an actual tooth that that has been specifically created to replace your old one. This ceramic, custom made tooth is strategically placed onto the jawbone of the patient, so that the bone and gums can grow around it over time, thus becoming the permanent replacement for the missing tooth. Although dental implants are more expensive than the previously mentioned tooth replacement options, they require the least amount of maintenance and attention as the others, in addition to providing authentic feel as a natural tooth.
Related Article: Dental Implants – The Lasting Fix for Front Teeth
Remember, although your teeth are tough, and can last a lifetime depending on the circumstances. If time has taken its toll on your teeth, there are several tooth replacement options available to keep you smiling.
Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.
