Tooth decay is unfortunately common among adults. As of 2018, 92% of adults aged 20-64 had some form of tooth decay, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Adults in that group have an average of roughly three decayed or missing teeth per person. Also, an entirely separate 5% of adults have no teeth at all. Let’s look at some options for replacing teeth after extraction.
Options for Replacing Teeth After Extraction
Missing teeth can affect not only a person’s physical appearance but also their ability to eat certain foods and, in some people, their self-confidence. And once an adult tooth has been pulled, there is no way for someone to grow a replacement.
Some people may be tempted to leave the empty space regardless of appearance or discomfort. But this option presents a host of problems. The teeth around the gap may shift, leading to further dental trouble.
Bone loss is also common around the site of a lost tooth. One 2016 study published in the Indian Journal of Medicine found that a missing tooth led to bone loss of up to 25% loss of the crestal bone after one year. After three years, bone loss could be as aggressive as 40%. It is better by far to take advantage of one of the many tooth replacement options available from a trusted dentist in Cedar Falls.
Dentures
Thanks to cartoons and movie gags, dentures are probably the best-known of all the tooth replacement options available today. Dentures are custom-made for each person and can either replace all of a person’s teeth or only a few, depending on the patient’s needs. They are less expensive than most other options. But they must be removed and cleaned nightly, and generally speaking they only last about a decade.
Bridges
Another name for partial dentures is a removable bridge, but there are several other bridge variations as well. Unlike a partial bridge in which the false teeth are fixed to a gum-colored plate that sits in the roof of your mouth, fixed bridges are mounted in place. While this means they don’t have to be removed and cleaned nightly, it does mean that they wear out faster. And because the teeth to either side must be filed down in order to make the bridge fit, healthy teeth are damaged during the installation process.
Another bridge variant is a resin-bonded bridge. Unlike the other dental bridges, however, resin-bonded bridges are limited to missing front teeth. They are held in place by small wing-like clips, making them an overall weaker option. Their main benefit is that the surrounding teeth do not need to be altered before the bridge can be placed.
Dental Implants
The best tooth replacement option currently available is the dental implant. They are rooted in the same bone as the patient’s natural teeth and, as a result, can help prevent bone loss in ways other options can’t.
Dental implants are also among the most natural-looking of the options. They often prove hard to tell from the surrounding natural teeth. They are also the most durable as the patient’s bone fuses with the implant over time, creating a permanent bond that is not available with other options.
As with all options, there are drawbacks to dental implants, however. They are the most expensive option available, and they must be placed through a surgical procedure.
Choosing Your Solution
Choosing a tooth replacement option can be a daunting task. But it’s one patients must handle sooner rather than later to prevent further tooth decay. If you have experienced a tooth extraction in Cedar Falls, then contact us today and let us help you find the option that best suits your needs.