The condition of the teeth adjacent to the space is the primary consideration in determining whether an implant or bridge is the best option. If the limiting teeth are in good condition, an implant is probably the preferred solution. However, if the adjacent teeth are in poor condition, heavily filled, they should probably be crowned. In this case, it is not difficult to opt for the dental bridge. Another consideration is how long the tooth is missing – whether it’s a recent extraction or an interval that’s been going on for some time.
The dental implant requires bone in good condition and if there is not enough bone for a dental implant, a bone graft may be necessary.
If you’re not sure which tooth replacement option is right for you, don’t feel alone. As you can see, there are many factors that go into the decision-making process and your dentist will be happy to help you make the decision that’s right for you.
What are the different types of dentures?
The prostheses can be partial (replacement of one or more teeth) or complete (replacement of all the teeth of one or both jaws).
Partial dental prosthesis
– partial dental prosthesis in acrylic resin
Acrylic is a rigid resin material. In dental prosthetics, it is pink for the base and the gums and pink for the replacement teeth. The partial denture is often held in the mouth with metal clasps that grip onto the surrounding natural teeth. Once in place, the metal is partially or completely covered by your lips.
– Metallic partial dental prosthesis
It is a metal-based prosthesis, usually made of an alloy. The part of the denture used to replace the gums is made of pink acrylic, and the part used to replace the teeth is tooth-colored. Metal clasps are usually attached to the metal base. Another design advantage over acrylic dentures is the provision of better support, which minimizes the impact on your existing teeth.
– Partial prosthesis in flexible resin
It’s also pink in color, but it’s made with a soft resin that can make it easier to insert into your mouth. It comes with clasps, which can be made from the same flexible pink material. Flexible dentures generally don’t last as long as acrylic or metal dentures, but they can be a useful option for some patients.
Complete prosthesis
This means that the prosthesis rests on your gums and does not use clasps. Full dentures can be made either to look like ideal dentition or to mimic your natural teeth. It usually takes a little getting used to eating and talking with them.
Immediate dental prosthesis
An immediate prosthesis is a prosthesis prepared before the tooth extraction, then placed the same day of the extraction. This helps to ensure that the patient does not spend time without teeth. However, the immediate prosthesis cannot fit as precisely as a prosthesis made after tooth extraction. It can sometimes be well suited for adjustments, but in most cases it is used as a temporary prosthesis, and a new prosthesis is made afterwards (usually a few months later).
Types of dental implant techniques
Depending on the jaw bone and specific needs, there are different options for placing dental implants.
What are the different types of dental bridges?
Dental bridges are devices that fill the space created by one or more missing teeth. They consist of one or more crowns for the teeth adjacent to the gap, as well as one or more attached false teeth. These anchor teeth are called abutment teeth and the false teeth are called intermediate elements. These can be made of alloys, porcelain, zirconia or a combination of these materials. The result is a completely functionally and aesthetically restored dentition.