Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Are you missing teeth? Loss of teeth is usually the result of either an injury or gum disease. When somebody loses teeth, it can really damage their self-esteem and confidence. Smiling suddenly turns into an emotionally painful task that they would rather avoid altogether. People worry that they may be laughed at, or that others will find them unattractive. The best way to handle the loss of teeth is to invest in dental implants. First, let's discuss life with missing teeth further.

Why is life like without all your teeth?

As was already mentioned, losing teeth can leave you feeling sad, depressed, and inadequate. Furthermore, losing certain teeth (e.g. front incisors) could potentially make it difficult to eat certain foods. Lastly, losing teeth can make it difficult to pronounce certain letters like s and r. Truthfully, some people learn to live the rest of their lives without certain teeth. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It is equivalent to taking pride in being born with a gap. But, for those who cannot handle the situation, dental implants are available.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a fake, or artificial, tooth that is implanted into the jaw. It serves as a 'replacement tooth.' Dental implants can also be utilized to support a bridge. The implant basically makes your teeth appear natural. With a dental implant, your mouth looks like it never even lost a tooth. Once the pain subsides, you can return to flashing your brilliant smile, eating normally, and speaking without error.

What sort of dental implants are available?

Endosteal Implants
Endosteal implants are used for replacing one or two missing teeth. An endosteal implant is inserted directly through the bone like a regular tooth. In the case of a loose tooth, an endosteal implant pin can be placed through the tooth and into the jaw. This helps support the tooth and keeps it firmly attached to the jawbone.

Subperiosteal Implants
Subperiosteal implants are utilized when several teeth are missing. A lightweight metal frame is positioned over toothless bone and serves as a junction for artificial teeth. Subperiosteal implants are used in instances where many teeth are missing, perhaps even all.

Intramucosal Inserts
Intramucosal inserts are removable dentures. They are designed to fit perfectly into your mouth, right over the gum. Inttramucosal inserts can only be utilized if all your teeth are missing though. They are especially popular with the elderly due to their affordable price.