No one likes having missing teeth. Whether it is one missing tooth or an entire row of missing teeth, it can be unsightly and troublesome. It can also lead to further oral health issues down the line.

When it comes to the replacement of missing teeth, there are a few different options. Two very popular choices are dental implants and dentures. Below is more information about why you should replace your missing teeth, dental implants, dentures, and which option may be best to meet your specific needs.

Why You Need to Replace Your Missing Teeth

There are quite a few reasons why you’ll want to consider replacing your missing teeth. These include:

•   Migration Prevention. If you have one tooth or a few missing teeth you need to replace (not an entire row) and you don’t get them replaced, you’ll find that your teeth migrate over time. This can lead to impacting, crowding, and crookedness. Dental implants help to prevent migration from accruing.
•   Ongoing Oral Health. If you still have teeth, it’s important that you take proper care of them. This can be extremely difficult if you have crooked or crowded teeth. If you aren’t able to brush and floss properly, you can end up with gum disease and tooth decay—which can eventually lead to losing more teeth! Dental implants help to keep healthy teeth in place, making it easier to care for them.
•   Bite support. Biting and chewing are extremely difficult with missing teeth. The more missing teeth, the more difficult it often is. Teeth replacements allow you to bite and chew many of your favorite foods. More secure options like dental implants allow you to eat just about all of your favorite foods without worry.
•   Appearance. Who doesn’t love having a full, complete smile? Dental implants and dentures fill out your smile, allowing you to smile with confidence.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are dental prosthetics that involve the installation of a titanium rod or multiple rods into the jawbone of the patient. These rods (implants) hold the prosthetic securely in place. While the prosthetics themselves will eventually need to be replaced, the implants are meant to last a lifetime. They are also extremely secure.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are dental prosthetics that are meant to replace large portions (or entire rows) of teeth. Often, people are referring to traditional (conventional) dentures when they discuss dentures. These dentures sit on the gums of the patient and aren’t held in place by anything but the gums themselves (and possibly an adhesive). While they provide a natural appearance and are custom-made for the patient, they don’t provide the same degree of support as dental implants.

What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are essentially a hybrid between dental implants and traditional dentures. Implant-supported dentures are meant to replace an entire row of teeth (like traditional dentures), but they are held in place with the help of implants instead of resting on the gums. Multiple titanium rods are installed in the jawbone of the patient to hold these dentures in place.

Implant-supported dentures snap into place and can be easily removed by the patient overnight and for cleaning purposes.

All-on-4

All-on-4 is a type of implant denture that is similar to implant-supported dentures, except they are intended to stay securely in place semi-permanently. With all-on-4, only a dentist can remove the dentures. This provides an additional level of security and support.

Which Option Is Right for Me?

Which choice is right for you will depend on a few factors. These include:

Jawbone Integrity

One of the main factors when it comes to the placement of dental implants, implant-supported dentures, and all-on-4 is the integrity of the jawbone. The jawbone of the patient needs to be strong enough to hold the dental implant in place. If it is not, implants may not be an option.

With that said, a dental bone graft may be available. With a bone graft, external bone is placed in the weakened area of the jawbone to provide additional strength. These procedures are generally successful and allow for the placement of implants once the new bone has fused.

The Number of Teeth Being Replaced

This is a major factor when it comes to the choice of which type of replacement is right for you. If only a single tooth is being replaced, a dental implant or bridge is often the right choice. For a few missing teeth, a bridge or implant-supported bridge may be the best option. For a row of missing teeth, on the other hand, dentures, implant-supported dentures, or all-on-4 is the best solution.

Cost

Different replacement options cost different amounts. Traditional dentures, for instance, will be less expensive than all-on-4 or implant-supported dentures. With that said, implant-supported dentures and all-on-4 are more secure and can last a very long time.

Your insurance coverage may also factor into the overall cost. You’ll need to speak with your insurance company to see which procedures are covered, and to what extent.

Why DC Dental Spa?

DC Dental Spa is the best dental office in Washington DC! We have an outstanding staff and provide the highest level of care. Our customer-first approach means you’ll also be treated with respect. We want to make sure you have the best experience possible when you visit DC Dental Spa.

We provide a variety of different services that include cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, and dental implants. We are a one-stop office for just about all of your dental needs! This means you don’t have to shop around for multiple dentists and offices.

We accept insurance from many providers, along with offering our own in-house dental plan.

Contact DC Dental Spa Today!

If you have a missing tooth, multiple missing teeth, or an entire row of teeth missing, contact DC Dental Spa today. We look forward to helping you with all of your dentistry needs.