Replacing a Missing Tooth After Extraction: What Are the Options?

When your dentist works diligently to save your tooth, their efforts do not necessarily avoid the extraction. If you recommend having your teeth extracted, you will have several options to replace the extracted tooth after you heal after the tooth removal. These tooth replacement options include removable bridges, dental implants, and fixed bridges.

Choosing the right and best option for you is a discussion with your dentist. However, understanding the pros and cons will make you a more informed patient and a better participant in choosing the best tooth replacement for your oral health.

Types of Teeth Replacement Options

Some of the options that your dentist recommends include:

• Dental Implant

A dental implant is a metal post attached to a dental crown. The implant is placed in your lower or upper jaw and acts as a root. Implants are secure and stable, just like your natural teeth. Thus, they are a good choice for people needing a replacement tooth or teeth.

Your dental implant is placed on your jawbone, and your mouth has to heal. During this healing face, your jawbone grows around the dental implant. This process may take several months. A crown is then put on top of the dental implant. This can either be done immediately after the dental implant is placed, or it can be done after the mouth is healed.

• Removable Partial Dentures

Removable partial dentures are also an option for replacing your teeth after the extraction. The dentures consist of replacement teeth and a base. Furthermore, your dentist will likely affix a clasp that attaches your natural teeth to the dentures to increase stability and function.

However, with removable partial dentures, you have to keep them during the day, but you can take them out at night. Follow-up appointments are also necessary with these dentures to ensure they fit properly. This reduces the chance of you developing sores while wearing dentures.

Repairs are also necessary if the removable partial dentures crack or chip. Also, changes to your mouth can cause your dentures to become ill-fitting. If that happens, repairs are necessary.

• Fixed bridges

A fixed dental bridge is also an option to replace teeth after tooth extraction. The bridge is bonded or cemented and cannot be removed by the one wearing them. If removal is needed, it can only be done at our dentist’s office near you.

Your dentist begins the placement process by preparing the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Next, these teeth need to be cut down to connect to a dental bridge. Your dentist will then make an impression on your tooth. The impressions are sent to the lab, where the technician uses metal, glass, or ceramics to make the bridge. You will then ar a temporary bridge until the permanent one is ready. Once the permanent one is ready, you can have an appointment to have the bridge placed.

Why Should You Not Leave the Space After a Tooth Extraction?

When you have undergone a tooth extraction in Manalapan, you may feel tempted to leave the space in your mouth instead of covering it, especially if the missing tooth is at the back of your mouth. Not choosing a tooth replacement can save you from spending money immediately, but it is a good option as this can become more costly over time. In addition, a missing tooth leads to several problems that worsen the longer the gap remains in your mouth.

Having a missing tooth can cause some problems for you; eating can be more difficult, even speaking. In addition, you will have more discomfort with a missing tooth because you don’t get the relief of one growing in its place.

Missing a tooth can cause others surrounding it to shift from its place. In addition, movement of the teeth can impact your previously straight smile appearance. Many people may also experience bone loss at the side of the missing tooth. In fact, during the first year after a tooth extraction, the width of the jawbone at the site decreases by a quarter of its full length. A loss of jawbone mass makes some tooth replacement options after the extraction more difficult. Thus, you must consult Union Hill Dental, your dentist in Manalapan about the best tooth replacement options.