Tooth Replacement

Dental implants are the ideal tooth replacement option when you’re missing one tooth or several teeth in different parts of your mouth. Dental implants are metallic or titanium posts attached to the jawbone underneath the empty socket of a missing tooth. As such, the dental implant functions as a replacement for the tooth’s root rather than the crown. Over time, your jawbone heals around the dental implant, firmly rooting it in place. Once the dental implant is secure, the dentist can attach dental crowns, dentures, etc., ensuring that they look and act like actual teeth.

Dental crowns and bridges are the tooth replacement options when you’re missing more than one tooth from the same spot. The dental crown-bridge is a series of artificial teeth flanked by dental crowns on both sides. If you’re missing three teeth, the dentist will attach dental crowns over the surrounding teeth, securing the dental crown-bridge in place over the empty sockets. As such, the dental crowns hold the entire bridge in place while the artificial teeth replace the missing teeth. Dental crowns-bridges also look and function just like natural teeth, and they’re a more reasonable option if you’re missing several teeth. However, there’s a risk of plaque and bacteria accumulating under the dental bridge, an area you can’t reach with a regular brush, which increases the risk of dental decay.

There may be some overlap between cosmetic dentistry procedures and restorative dentistry procedures. For example, dental crowns & bridges are primarily considered restorative dentistry procedures, but they can also be used cosmetically to enhance the appearance of a chipped, discolored, or unattractive tooth. Considering this overlap, people often wonder what’s the difference between cosmetic dentistry procedures and restorative dentistry procedures, and which one they need.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures are solely meant for cosmetic purposes, i.e., to enhance the aesthetic appearance of your teeth and smile. Some cosmetic dentistry procedures also have functional benefits, but the primary goal is aesthetic rather than functional. Teeth whitening, for example, is a cosmetic procedure because it has no functional benefits. However, dental crowns are primarily a part of restorative dental care, but they may be used cosmetically to cover up an unattractive tooth even if there are no significant functional reasons for them.

Restorative dentistry procedures are solely meant to restore the healthy functioning of your teeth and mouth. They restore missing teeth or parts of a chipped or fractured tooth for functional rather than aesthetic purposes. The cosmetic benefit of replacing or restoring missing/ damaged teeth is a happy side effect of restorative dental care. As such, while both restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures can offer both functional and cosmetic benefits, their difference largely lies in the primary procedure’s main goal.

Complete dentures are suitable for those who have lost all their teeth. However, if you’ve only lost a few teeth, you can opt for removable partial dentures. These are artificial teeth attached to a fake pink base resembling gums. Some partial dentures have clasps that hook against the adjoining teeth, so your natural teeth stabilize and support the removable partial dentures. Removable partial dentures aren’t as natural-looking or comfortable as dental implants and bridges, but they may be a suitable tooth replacement option for those on a budget.