What are the methods to repair missing teeth

Tooth loss is quite common in our daily life. For example, external force, tooth decay and other reasons can easily lead to tooth loss. At this time, timely repair is required. There are many methods of repair, the most common ones are implant dentures, fixed dentures and removable dentures. From the perspective of post-care, implant dentures are the best. Of course, the most appropriate method of repairing teeth should be chosen according to each person's different needs.

1. Implant dentures

Comfortable and beautiful, but the price is higher. Aftercare is close to natural teeth.

Implant dentures, also known as dental implants, refer to the implantation of artificial tooth roots through surgery and then the placement of dentures on them. Compared with other restorations, it does not damage adjacent teeth, is comfortable, natural, and beautiful, and its functions are close to those of natural teeth. This type of restoration can be used for individual tooth loss, multiple tooth loss, or even complete tooth loss. However, the dental implant cycle is long (3 to 6 months or even longer), the cost is relatively high, and it requires the edentulous patient to be in good general health and have good alveolar bone conditions, or to be able to widen and heighten the alveolar bone through surgery to meet the implant requirements. Therefore, patients with poor general condition, severe osteoporosis or severe alveolar bone absorption are often not suitable for this type of restoration because it is difficult to lay a solid "foundation" for dental implants.

2. Fixed dentures

Only suitable for patients with individual tooth loss. Later maintenance should prevent abutment tooth caries.

Fixed dentures, also known as fixed bridges, refer to dentures that are supported and fixed by adjacent natural teeth on both sides. This method takes a short time to repair, is moderately priced, is more comfortable, convenient, and more beautiful than removable teeth, and has functions close to those of natural teeth. However, this method is only suitable for individual missing teeth, and requires that there are abutment teeth on both sides of the missing part, and the tooth roots are strong and healthy. After all, both ends of the "bridge" need a good foundation. The biggest disadvantage of this restoration method is that it requires grinding away the tooth tissue of the healthy teeth adjacent to the missing teeth, so the number of patients using this restoration method has gradually decreased in recent years.

3. Removable dentures

The price is good but the foreign body sensation is strong and needs to be cleaned immediately after each meal

Removable dentures, also known as removable dentures, refer to dentures that are retained and supported by clasps and bases. Its advantages are wide applicability, low price, and can be used for patients with individual teeth, multiple teeth, or all missing teeth, especially those with missing posterior teeth. However, there is a strong foreign body sensation after wearing dentures, and the dentures should be removed and cleaned promptly after each meal. It also has a certain impact on pronunciation and appearance. For patients who wear them for a long time, the probability of adjacent teeth developing caries and periodontitis will increase.

To sum up, each restoration method has its advantages and disadvantages. For cases where individual teeth are missing and abutment teeth are needed in the front and back, all three restoration methods can be chosen, but implant restoration is the first choice. In cases where individual teeth are missing but there is no abutment tooth behind the missing area, multiple teeth are missing, or all teeth are missing, the only options are implant restoration or removable restoration.