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Missing Teeth
If you still have a full set of permanent teeth, consider yourself lucky. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the average adult (20-64 yrs. old) has at least three decayed or missing teeth. Missing several teeth can greatly influence your daily life. It can affect your general health, appearance, and confidence.
If you have missing teeth, there are plenty of reasons to correct the problem. Even a single space between your teeth may affect how you speak or eat. May it be noticeable or not, a missing molar can affect how you chew. The remaining teeth may shift, or worse, bone loss may occur around a missing tooth.
Replacement of missing teeth isn’t only for aesthetics. It also deals with a large improvement in chewing and speaking. With today’s advances in technology, you no longer have to suffer from missing teeth. Here are some of the tooth replacement options to consider:
- Bridges
These are devices that connect the gap between your missing teeth and are often attached to your adjacent teeth. These can be removable or fixed, depending on your teeth structure, your dentist’s recommendation, and your needs. Unlike dental implants, which normally don’t affect the surrounding teeth, bridges are often anchored to your adjacent teeth for support. - Dentures
Your dentist may recommend dentures if you have lost if not all, most of your teeth. Dentures are removable devices that consist of numerous artificial teeth. These may take time to feel fully comfortable and natural to wear but after the adjustment period, it will perfectly feel, function, and look just like a natural set of teeth. - Implants
Implants are the closest to natural teeth. Since dental implants are surgically done, they can offer a sturdy, long-term solution for teeth replacement. Dental implants have three stages that can take place for over several months. Despite the long wait, many people still choose dental implants because they’re natural-looking, durable, and can last for even decades.
Talk to your dentist about which option is best for you.
