Accidents happen, it’s just a part of life. But when accidents involve damage to your teeth, the consequences can be pretty embarrassing. But there is hope. There are plenty of ways to repair adult teeth that are lost or broken. Here are a few methods dentists use to fix adult teeth when they have been damaged or lost.
A Bridge
Dental bridges are a very common method of replacing lost teeth in adults. There are several different types of dental bridges: Traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported dental bridges. All of these methods involve bonding a false tooth made of porcelain or other material to at least one regular tooth in your mouth. Most methods involve two teeth surrounding the “gap” created by the missing tooth or teeth. A dental bridge bridges the gap.
Dental bridges are a great way to repair missing teeth that will restore your smile, allow you to speak regularly, and prevent the rest of your teeth from shifting. Dental bridges cost anywhere from one grand, to fifteen grand or more.
Get a Dental Implant
Dental implants are the basic standard of care for replacing missing teeth in the dental health industry. Dental implants involve burrowing a fixture into the jawbone to replace the root of the teeth, and then allowing it to fuse with the bone over time. The fixture then serves as a holder for a replacement tooth to be secured in place. This is different from bridging because it does not require hooking the implant to other teeth, instead it hooks into the jawbone which offers great stability.
You can also get a crown type implant on damaged teeth where the base of your natural tooth is still present. Dental crowns can be made up of several common metals. Dental crowns are a great way to replace damaged teeth.
Scaling and Root Planing
If your teeth are just loose, but not yet out, there are some preventative measures you can take like scaling and root planing. This is a deep cleaning procedure of the gums that can help prevent further gum decay that accelerates tooth loss. Keeping your gums clean and healthy is paramount to ensure tooth health and prevent losing teeth.
Losing an adult tooth can be awful. The process of getting it fixed however, doesn’t have to be so challenging. Knowing your options, you can decide what the right approach is for you and your smile. Dental health is important for the longevity of your mouth and smile.
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