By age 50, the average North American has lost 12 teeth. Whether you’ve lost more or less than that you may be looking at options to replace your missing teeth. After all, nobody wants a toothless grin!
Dentures are a popular option due to their affordability. However, many people don’t like the idea of gluing them in their mouths and are scared of them falling out into their mashed potatoes during Thanksgiving dinner.
If that’s you, rest easy. You have other tooth replacement options. Let’s look at a few false teeth alternatives here.
Dental Crowns
In some cases, you may not need to remove your damaged tooth (or teeth) entirely. You may be able to instead have a dental crown, or cap, placed over the damaged teeth.
Crowns look and feel like natural teeth. There is some risk of infection and some people fear needing to have a root canal after. However, as long as you choose a competent dentist to perform the procedure, this risk is minimal.
Caring for crowns is easy, simply follow your normal oral care routine.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the option that is most like natural teeth. The dentist will insert a titanium screw directly into the jawbone. Then, a false tooth can be mounted onto the screw.
Implants are very sturdy and easy to care for. You can eat all the same foods you enjoyed before without worrying about your false teeth falling out. Brush and floss as usual to maintain the implants.
To be a good candidate, you need a strong, healthy jawbone that the dentist can put the implant into.
This procedure is a little more pricey than the others, making it good for when you only need to replace a few teeth.
Overdentures
When you have several teeth to replace, overdentures can be an excellent, cost-effective option. You can think of this as being a cross between dental implants and dentures.
The dentist will make a comfortably fitting denture just like for a set of regular dentures. But instead of using adhesive to secure them in your mouth, the overdenture is attached to healthy teeth still in your mouth. In some cases, it can be attached to dental implants as well.
Overdentures provide the support your jaw needs to retain your facial structure. Plus, you can talk, eat, and laugh without worrying about your dentures slipping. Care for your overdentures as you would your normal teeth.
The False Teeth Alternatives for You
You already know that dentures aren’t for you. The good news is that there are many false teeth alternatives that you can choose from. Which one is right for you will depend on your individual situation.
Talk to your dentist about these options and more to replace your missing teeth.
Don’t have a dentist? Feel free to give us a call here at Estrabillo Dental Group! We’re more than happy to assess your teeth and offer you the best tooth replacement options for you.
