Missing teeth impact your appearance and self-confidence, but they can also have severe consequences for your oral health. If left untreated, missing teeth can lead to tooth misalignment, jawbone deterioration and increase your risk of oral infection. It can also affect how you chew, speak and lead to chronic headaches.
Replacing missing teeth allows you to live life to the fullest so you can smile freely. There are a few options available, each offering a variety of benefits depending on the number of teeth missing, your general oral health, and budget.
Dental implants offer the latest technology and are fast becoming one of the most popular tooth replacement options. At No Gaps Dental, we have years of experience in placing dental implants successfully. With 15 locations across the Sydney Metro area, we can help make your smile dreams a reality by replacing missing teeth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent option for tooth replacement and help to keep the jaw bone healthy and strong. Dental implants use biocompatible titanium posts embedded in the jaw to support an abutment and prosthetic tooth. These tiny screws bond to your jawbone over time, replicating the tooth root, through a process known as osseointegration. A newer alternative to titanium is zirconium for those with metal allergies.
In addition to being durable and robust, dental implants look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. While they are one of the most expensive tooth replacement options available, they are an investment that can last you the rest of your life, unlike dentures and dental bridges.
Tooth-Supported Fixed Bridge
An affordable option for replacing missing teeth is a tooth-supported fixed bridge, which is typically used when replacing a single tooth.
Crowns are placed on the teeth adjacent to the gap to hold the replacement tooth, called a pontic. Pontics are made with tooth coloured materials that are robust and durable. Despite being one of the more cost-effective tooth replacement options, a fixed bridge has its drawbacks.
Since this device doesn’t attach to the jaw, the bone is not stimulated and deteriorates over time, which could affect the appearance of your smile. Deterioration also means that you will need to have your bridge adjusted or replaced frequently, which can increase the overall cost of the procedure.
Bridges also involve grinding down the teeth on either side of the gap to prepare them for crowns, which is not desirable when the teeth are in good health. However, if the anchor teeth are not healthy and are partially decayed, then covering them up with a crown for the tooth-supported fixed bridge can give them a more appealing aesthetic.
Bridges are faster and less expensive than dental implants, but not as effective and long-lasting as the jawbone will still weaken without the simulated support of a root. They can also be challenging to clean.
Fixed Dental Bridges
Permanently fixed dental bridges are another affordable option for replacing missing teeth without getting dental implants. There are different types of fixed dental bridges, including a cantilever bridge and a resin-bonded bridge.
For fixed dental bridges, the pontic features metal wings on the back that fasten onto the abutment teeth, offering a less invasive procedure than a tooth-supported bridge. However, some enamel may need to be removed off the back teeth for the bridge to adhere correctly.
As a result of being less invasive, this approach to replacing missing teeth is also less secure. The bridge may loosen overtime or fall out as it is subjected to pressure or force. It’s important to note that fixed bridges are semi-permanent, and you must see a dentist for removal if they are damaged.
Removable Dentures
A removable denture set is a quick and affordable way to improve your oral comfort and appearance if you are missing multiple teeth. This option is minimally invasive and can make it easier to eat and speak while improving your confidence.
Dentures use an acrylic plate which is moulded to the shape of your mouth, to which is attached artificial teeth. You can get full dentures to replace a whole arch of teeth, or partial dentures if you’re only missing several teeth.
When correctly moulded, the dentures’ support can help maintain the muscles’ strength in your cheeks and lips, which can even improve your face’s appearance if you haven’t had any teeth for several years.
However, dentures are not as beneficial to your jaw strength as dental implants, and they are the least stable of all tooth replacement options as it is not permanently or semi-permanently fixed in your mouth.
Affordable Dental Implants at No Gaps Dental
While dental implants are one of the more costly tooth replacement options, they offer better value long-term due to their durability and jawbone stabilisation properties. At No Gaps Dental, we want all our patients to choose the best restorative dental procedure for their health. So, we offer a wide variety of payment methods and feature HICAPS terminals at all our practices for quick and easy insurance claims.
We also partner with MacCredit to offer payment plans with affordable repayments for as little as $40 per week. An application can be completed easily online, and approval is often received within 48 hours.
Make an Appointment at No Gaps Dental to Complete Your Smile
Our experienced team of dental professionals at No Gaps Dental is eager to help you choose the right tooth replacement option for your needs.
While denture sets and fixed dental bridges are an affordable option for filling in gaps in your smile, they are not as structurally sound as dental implants, which bond to the bone and act as a natural tooth would to strengthen your jaw. A consultation with your dentist can help you better understand what course of action will benefit not only your smile but the structure of your face the most.
Call No Gaps Dental on (02) 8007 6727 to book an appointment and learn more about replacing missing teeth and determine if you are a suitable candidate for a dental implant.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.