If you have missing teeth, you may be thinking about replacing them to improve the way you look. But replacing missing teeth may also let you eat more comfortably, speak more clearly and help to keep your mouth healthy.

Why replace missing teeth?

• It can affect the way the rest of your teeth bite together.
• Your remaining teeth may tilt and drift into the gaps and food can get trapped in the spaces.
• This can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, bite and jaw problems.
• Prevents bone resorption - when the bone resorbs, the face can appear misshapen or sunken-in through the cheeks and jaw-line.  Also, the bone becomes less functional not properly supporting the surrounding teeth.
• If lots of your teeth are missing, your facial muscles can become saggy. This may affect the way you look.
• It might make it harder for you to speak clearly.

What’s best for you depends on the number of teeth you have missing. It also depends on which teeth are missing and the condition of your remaining teeth. Your dentist will help you decide which option is best for you and how much it will cost.

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What are my options?

There are different ways to replace missing teeth involving implants, bridges and dentures. Replacement teeth are made to match the colour of your natural teeth as closely as possible.

• Dental implants – false teeth fitted on top of a titanium implant that is fixed directly into your jawbone (the bone of your jaw then fuses to the titanium)
• Bridges – false teeth that are fixed onto adjacent natural teeth
• Dentures (false teeth) – removable plastic or metal frameworks that carry false teeth

What’s best for you depends on the number of teeth you have missing. It also depends on which teeth are missing and the condition of your remaining teeth. Your dentist will help you decide which option is best for you and how much it will cost.

Dental implants

A dental implant is a metal rod (titanium or titanium alloy) that your dentist will place in your jawbone. It holds a false tooth (or teeth) in place. Over several months, the bone of your jaw will fuse with the metal rod. Dentures or bridges can be screwed or clipped onto the implant. 

Dentures and bridges that are supported by successful implants tend to be very secure. If you look after your dental implants they can last a long time.

Having an implant is a surgical procedure. You need to have healthy gums, and if you smoke, your dentist may not recommend implants as it can affect the success of your treatment.

Bridges

If only one or two of your teeth are missing, and an implant isn’t suitable for you, your dentist may recommend a bridge. This consists of two crowns, which are placed on your natural teeth either side of the space, with a false tooth in the middle. In this way, your new false tooth is held firmly in place by your own teeth on either side.

Bridges are made of porcelain and/or metal and there are many designs. The design will depend on the location of your missing tooth and the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums. Your dentist will cement the bridge in place, so you don’t remove it for cleaning. To keep your natural teeth healthy, clean the gap under a bridge with a special dental floss. Your dentist or hygienist will show you how to floss under your bridge. Another type of bridge called an adhesive (sticky) bridge has wings that your dentist bonds to the back of your supporting teeth.

Dentures

Full upper dentures cover the roof of your mouth (palate). A very thin layer of saliva between your palate and the denture creates suction, which keeps the denture firmly in position. Your facial muscles and tongue also help to keep it in place.

Full lower dentures are often more difficult to keep in place because there is less support from your gums. It can be difficult to balance the denture against your cheeks and tongue. However, this should improve with time as you get used to it.

Most people won’t need to use denture adhesive cream (fixative). However, some people may choose to use it because they find it helps with confidence while getting used to the new dentures.

Replacing missing teeth can help you smile with confidence, eat more comfortably and keep your mouth and teeth healthy.