Implant, bridge or denture: how to replace a missing tooth
The three ways to replace missing teeth, how each one works, and the questions that decide which suits you. A plain guide from Anaya Dental, Ahmedabad.
A gap from a missing tooth is more than a looks problem. Neighbouring teeth can slowly tilt into the space, the tooth above or below can drift, and chewing on that side gets harder. There are three main ways to fill the gap. Each has a place.
Dental implant
A small post is placed in the jaw bone where the root used to be. Once the bone has bonded with it, a crown is fixed on top. The new tooth stands on its own and does not rely on the teeth next to it.
- Good for: one or more missing teeth, when the gums are healthy and there is enough bone.
- Things to know: it takes a few months from placement to the final crown, and it involves a minor surgical step.
Fixed bridge
A false tooth is held in place by crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap. It is cemented in and does not come out.
- Good for: a gap where the teeth on both sides already need crowns, or when an implant is not possible.
- Things to know: the teeth on either side have to be trimmed to hold the crowns, and cleaning under the bridge needs a little extra care.
Denture
A removable set of teeth on a gum-coloured base. A partial denture replaces some teeth and clips onto the ones you still have. A complete denture replaces all the teeth in one jaw.
- Good for: several missing teeth, or all of them.
- Things to know: it takes a few weeks to get used to, and a denture can be made more stable by clipping it onto implants.
The questions that decide it
- How many teeth are missing, and where?
- Are the teeth next to the gap healthy, or do they already need crowns?
- Is there enough bone for an implant? An X-ray or scan answers this.
- Would you prefer something fixed, or are you comfortable with something removable?
- How is your general health? Some conditions need to be discussed before surgery.
There is no single best option for everyone. A dental implant, a bridge and a denture can each be the right answer. Replacing teeth is the specialty of a prosthodontist, which is Dr. Rima J. Shah’s MDS training. At your consultation she checks your mouth and explains which options suit you, with the visits and cost for each, before anything starts.