Sometimes, due to severe gum disease or decay, a person may lose all of their teeth. This as known as the fully edentulous patient.
Options for the fully ehttps://spearedu.co/9qD8aLpdentulous patient are:
Full dentures:
Dentures are worn during the day. This is used to replace one or many missing teeth.
Disadvantages
– They move a little when speaking or eating, which can be uncomfortable.
-Must come out at night and be placed in a cleaning solution.
Dental Implant
An implant is a great way to replace a missing tooth.
Advantages
This solution feels and acts the most like a natural tooth when chewing, brushing or smiling. A major advantage is no need to alter any other teeth when placing an implant. An implant is a great solution for a single missing tooth, and even more implants can replace many missing teeth. When smiling or talking there is no way to tell the difference between an implant and a natural tooth.
Disadvantages
The implant replaces the actual root of the missing tooth and heals in the bone for 3 to 7 months and we then begin the restorative phase. We or your dentist then place an abutment, to which a crown will be cemented. Dental implants are usually a more costly option, at least initially, but are often the best long-term investment.
Do Nothing
There is always the option to do nothing.
Advantages
Saves money, at least initially
Disadvantages
When a tooth is removed, the bone shrinks away and the other teeth in the area will shift to fill the gap. This can sometimes lead to other problems like shifting of other teeth, causing bone loss or decay around the existing teeth as they become more difficult to clean.
If you have questions about replacing any teeth lost to fractures, decay or gum disease, contact us today at 727-586-2681.
Here is a great video from Spear Education
