Replacing Teeth

Historically: dentists used to replace teeth with dentures before bridges came along. The disadvantage here was that the denture would hook on the other teeth and loosen them and shrink your remaining jaw bone. Excessive forces and stresses were placed on teeth which were not designed to take them. Then bridges came along to replace one or more missing teeth but there was so much destruction to the adjacent teeth and bridges DO NOT PRESERVE BONE. But today, implants are NOW the standard of care as they preserve the bone while dentures and bridges do not. The important thing about jaw bone is that when it shrinks away we get a "sunken in old person look" to our faces! This is not good!

The average bridge lasts 7-10 years. After 10 years, there is a 15-30% failure rate and then after 15 years there is a 50% failure rate. In addition, there are irreversible negative things that happen when a bridge is placed: you have to drill down the adjacent natural teeth whether they have fillings in them or not. The missing tooth space is initially small but increases to a large gap after time. Cavities are very common around the bridged teeth and then the bridge needs to be replaced at additional cost and time.

Replacing a Single Missing Tooth

When just one tooth missing, common options are a traditional tooth supported bridge or an implant supported crown. When a bridge is used to replace the tooth, the adjacent teeth are cut down into peg shapes in order to fit the cemented bridge in place.

This method of tooth replacement can look fine and functional for a time. But, a tooth bridge does not replace the bone that previously surrounded the root. Since there is no root to hold the bone in place, the bone deteriorates over time.

There are many advantages to replacing a single missing tooth with an implant supported crown:

• It looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth.
• It is much better looking long term.
• It does not decay.
• Adjacent natural teeth will not be ground down.
• The bone is preserved.
• It is easier to clean.

Replacing Multiple Teeth

When multiple teeth are missing, there are three common options: a tooth supported bridge, a removable partial denture and an implant supported bridge.

A removable prosthesis, such as a partial denture, accelerates the bone resorption process, so the bone deteriorates faster. Plus, the clasps which hold the partial denture in place put pressure on the natural teeth they attach to, loosening them and eventually leading to the loss of those teeth.

The advantages of replacing multiple missing teeth with implant supported bridges include the following:

• They look feel and function like natural teeth.
• They are much more comfortable and stable than partial dentures.
• Natural biting and chewing capacity is restored.
• They virtually stop the bone resorption process (deterioration).
• The integrity of the facial structures is maintained.
• Adjacent natural teeth are not compromised (ground down into peg shapes or loosened).

Replacing all of the teeth in the past had limited options which led to dentures being placed. This prosthesis has numerous disadvantages, such as:

• Dentures are uncomfortable and often painful.
• Dentures do not look natural, especially when eating.
• As the bone continues to melt away, the dentures become loose, and can fall out when laughing, sneezing, or coughing without the use of adhesives.
• People without their teeth and supporting bone visibly age much faster.
• Wearing dentures usually undermines a person's self confidence (they have missing body parts and do not feel complete or natural).
• People with dentures cannot eat certain foods, such as steak, corn on the cob and apples.
• People with dentures generally have bad breath.
• These problems can be solved with implant supported replacement teeth, which are stable (securely fastened to the implants) and maintain the integrity of the facial structures by preserving the bone.

Some of the many advantages of implant supported replacement teeth include the following:

• They are more comfortable and stable than traditional dentures.
• They virtually stop the bone resorption process (deterioration).
• Integrity of the facial structures is maintained.
• Appearance is improved.
• It is not necessary to cover the roof of the mouth, so food can be tasted.
• Relines and repairs are infrequent compared to traditional dentures.
• Natural biting and chewing capacity is restored.