Types Artificial Teeth
Dental implants - Considered one of the more reliable forms of tooth replacement, dental implants are made to look like the natural teeth that surround it. Although the implant is built to last, the dental implant surgery that is needed to ensure that the artificial tooth is secure, is extremely grueling and painful.
The dental implant procedure will require a screw to be drilled into position via the jaw bone beneath the gap in the gum tissue. A metal peg will then protrude through the gum which will allow for the artificial tooth to sit amongst the other remaining teeth.
Implants are usually recommended when the patient is missing central incisors as they act a strong and resilient tooth replacement.
Fixed bridges - A slightly less common dental procedure utilized to cover missing teeth is the dental bridge. Resting over the gum, the bridge will require a slightly less invasive surgical procedure in comparison, however the surgery required is still extremely gruelling and painful.
The dental bridge will use the adjacent teeth that surround the gap and will cover these teeth in a dental crown. This crown will be permanently attached to the bridge which allows for the replacement tooth to use the existing teeth for support.
To ensure that the surrounding teeth are prepared for the crowns and the bridge, the teeth will be shaven down into a small stump that will allow for the tooth cap to fit comfortably into position.
Partial Dentures - Possibly the most common and certainly the least invasive amongst the traditional dental treatments, partial dentures provide a patient with a more affordable and less painful alternative.
Dentures may require some getting used to and can make your adjacent teeth hurt when it is initially used. A large down side to having a denture is that the material used to keep the denture in place can cover a large portion of the mouth's palette, affecting taste and comfort.
Dentures need to be extremely well kept and cleaned daily to ensure that you maintain good oral health and don’t risk any form of infection. Gum inflammation and gum disease are extremely common infections that users of dentures suffer when not keeping their denture clean and bacteria-free.
Clip-on Veneers - A new and revolutionary way of covering missing teeth has entered the world of cosmetic dentistry. Although not provided through a dentist, clip-on veneers require no dental surgery and no adjustments to the existing dental profile.
The clip-on veneer will simply cover a large portion of your dental arch, covering any dental anomalies such as missing teeth, discoloration and chips / cracks.