Free Implant Consultation AvailableThe Three Treatment Options for Lost Teeth

Do you know what three treatments are available when you lose a tooth?

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  bridge

  The first treatment option is a bridge, a type of fixed dental prothesis. Bridges typically involve filing down both teeth adjacent to the lost tooth, and applying a continuous crown across all three positions. This treatment gives the appearance that no tooth was lost from the middle position. If the neighboring support teeth are both yet secure, the bridge can remain in place for a long time. However, in some cases, removal of the tooth nerves may be required. Furthermore, bridges require filing away much of these neighboring teeth, and the loss of the enamel from these teeth increases the risk of cavities, and consequently can cause these teeth to worsen as well.

  Additionally, the brunt of the biting force where the tooth was lost becomes supported by these neighboring teeth, further increasing the likelihood of developing problems with them.

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  Partial Dentures

  The second treatment option is removable partial dentures, or RPD. Dentures are a classic piece of the history of dentistry, and these more modern iterations allow for replacing as many or as few teeth as needed. The artificial teeth are all affixed to a metal-based clasp that attaches to the gums and natural teeth, supporting the bite. If force is applied to the artificial teeth directly, however, it can lead to deformation of the gums. To prevent the dentures from sinking into the gums, the bite force is spread out across the neighboring natural teeth.

  Just as with bridges, this places a large burden on the remaining teeth in that area, which can lead to the loss of additional teeth.

  Difficulties chewing, as well as aversions toward the appearance or sensation of partial dentures are not uncommon drawbacks for RPD. However, they can be created in fairly little time and can be used to replace any number of lost teeth, so they can be suitable for a wide variety of cases.

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  Implants

  The third treatment option is an implant. This treatment involves implanting an artificial root made of titanium into the bone where the tooth was lost, and then affixing an artificial tooth to it with a screw. Because the bite force for implants is supported by the bone, there is no additional burden placed upon other teeth. As such, this can be said to be the best method to preserve your remaining natural teeth. Implants are unique as a treatment option, as they solve this issue of undue burden on neighboring teeth, as well as the other problems inherent to bridges and partial dentures.

  Furthermore, implants hold the highest longevity of these three treatment options, with most cases lasting for 20 years following treatment. However, one drawback of implants is that they require minor surgery. Additionally, they are not covered by Japanese Health Insurance and potentially quite expensive, and also require a comparatively longer period of time to complete the treatment.