I am the first to admit I haven’t taken the best care of my teeth. I also had a trauma where I had a couple knocked out. To make a long story short I have several missing teeth. I wanted to know if I’m a dental implants candidate? I was told they are the best option, especially since I’m so young. I’ve also heard they are very expensive.
-Rob in Kansas
Rob,
Dental implants are indeed the best option to replace missing teeth. Whether it’s just one tooth replacement or several missing teeth, they will look function and feel just like your normal teeth. They are also a permanent solution. The implant would be surgically implanted into your jawbone so they are very secure. If you are missing teeth and don’t get dental implants, the body resorbs the bone in those areas. You can end up having other dental problems when this occurs, especially if you are young.
You failed to mention if the missing teeth are next to one another. If they are, then a dental implant can be used to replace several teeth at one time. It is possible that you could go with a dental bridge, which can be used and anchored with a dental implants to cut down on costs. Under other circumstances, a dental bridge may also work too if it is attached to one of your surrounding teeth that is still in place. All of these solutions can be made to blend in to look beautiful and natural. Although, a bridge isn’t as strong and you may have some bone loss. A partial denture is also an option.
It sounds like you may need to spend some more time consulting with the implant dentist before you move forward with any treatment. Be upfront about your concerns and ask about the most affordable option that will deliver the results you are after. Good luck and thank you for your questions. Remember, trust is the most important quality in moving forward with a dentist.
This post is sponsored by Barrington dentist James T. Gavrilos, DDS