If you have had a tooth extracted, getting the space filled as soon as possible is very important in maintaining your long-term oral health. There are several tooth replacement options you can choose from.
If the space left behind by a missing tooth is not filled, the surrounding teeth will eventually shift out of their proper position. In addition, the gums and jaw bone may also begin to deteriorate over time, and this can result in facial collapse.
At Willowbrook Dental Clinic in Langley, we offer the following tooth replacement options for our patients with missing teeth:
Full & Partial Dentures
Dentures are dental removable appliances that are used to replace missing teeth and the tissue surrounding them.
Partial dentures can replace a single missing tooth, or a few missing teeth in a row. Full dentures replace a full upper or lower jaw of teeth.
In the past, dentures were made a variety of strange and unsettling materials, such as lead, human teeth, cow teeth, and even elephant ivory. Fortunately, today we have access to far better, more durable (and less weird) materials!
These days, dentures can be made from a variety of medical grade materials. Most often, different types of resin, or porcelain are used. The framework that supports the artificial teeth in the dentures is usually made of either a rigid acrylic resin or a flexible nylon polymer.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are quite similar to dentures, but are not removable. They are permanently affixed to the teeth, and can only be removed by a dentist.
The pontics (false teeth) in your bridge might be made of gold, porcelain, alloys, or a combination of these materials. They are attached by two or more crowns on the teeth on either side of the space, called the abutment teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are another permanent tooth replacement option. A dental implant is a tiny titanium rod that is surgically implanted into the jawbone, and functions as a tooth root. This artificial root is then capped with a dental crown.
As a whole, dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth do. With proper care, they’ll last you a lifetime.