Thinking about replacing your missing teeth? If so, you’re probably wondering about the different teeth replacements available. And the good news is that if you have lost teeth, you’re certainly not lost for options when it comes to restoring your smile.
Maybe you’re interested in a long-lasting fixed solution like dental implants. Or perhaps you’re considering the more cost-effective option of removable dentures. To help you make a more informed decision about the right teeth replacements for you, let’s explore the different options to replace missing teeth, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Dental implants
Dental implants are the closest teeth replacements to your natural teeth. This option is used for patients who want to replace a single missing tooth or several missing teeth in different parts of the jaw (i.e. not in a row). During the dental implant procedure, a patient will be put under twilight sedation so they remain calm and comfortable while a titanium implant post is surgically inserted into the jaw. This implant post acts as an artificial tooth root to provide stability and support for the implant tooth, which is connected on top. The titanium implant will fuse with the jaw bone in a process called osseointegration over a period of 3 to 6 months.
Pros of dental implants
Look and function like natural teeth
Durable
Fixed solution
Prevents jaw bone loss
Does not impact surrounding teeth
Cons of dental implants
Requires surgical procedure
Requires a lengthy recovery and healing time of up to 6 months
More expensive than removable teeth replacements
Only suitable for patients with enough bone density
All-on-4 dental implants
All-on-4 is the only fixed full-arch treatment backed by 25 years of clinical success. This teeth replacement option is designed for patients who are about to lose or have lost all or most of their teeth in their upper or lower jaw. The All on 4 procedure involves the placement of at least 4 (or up to 6) dental implants in the jaw, with two straight implants at the front and two angled implants at the back. The innovative implant placement used in the All on 4 treatment concept helps to utilise more bone density to support the tooth bridge and, in most cases, avoid the need for bone grafting. This means even patients with severe bone loss can potentially be good candidates for All-on-4 treatment. Once the implants are inserted, the tooth bridge can be connected in as little as 3 days after surgery.
The cost of All on 4 is higher than removable dentures, however, it is a far superior teeth replacement option in terms of durability, longevity, functionality and appearance. Plus, we offer flexible finance options and All-on-4 payment plans at our Gregory Hills or Moss Vale dental clinic so you can unlock the smile you deserve without the financial woes.
Pros of All-on-4
Replace all missing teeth with a fixed solution in as little as 3 days
Look, feel and function like real teeth
Durable with a longer lifespan than many other replacement teeth options
Rarely requires bone grafting and prevents bone loss by stimulating jaw bone
High success rate
Easy to clean
Cons of All-on-4 implants
Higher cost than removable dentures
Requires surgery
Requires a recovery and healing period
Small risk of complications (as with all surgical procedures)
Full mouth dental implants
This teeth replacement option is designed to replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw, using up to 8 individual implants to secure a dental bridge in place. The implants are positioned straight (not angled) so this treatment is only suitable for those who have adequate jaw bone density or are able to have a bone graft.
Pros of full mouth dental implants
More secure alternative to denture
Stimulates jaw bone and prevents further bone loss
Looks and functions like natural teeth
Cons of full mouth dental implants
Most expensive option for replacing all missing teeth
May require several dental procedures over a number of months or years
Only suitable for patients with sufficient bone density
Implant-supported bridge
An implant-supported bridge offers a fixed solution for patients who want to replace several missing teeth in a row. It involves the placement of at least two dental implants in the jaw, at each end of the row of missing teeth. A tooth bridge of several teeth is then connected on top.
Pros of implant-supported bridge
Look, feel and function like natural teeth
Secure, fixed solution
Durable
Prevents jaw bone loss
No damage to surrounding teeth
Cons of implant-supported bridge
Requires surgery
Requires recovery and healing time of up to 6 months
May require existing teeth to be removed
More costly than partial dentures
Tooth-supported bridge
A tooth-supported bridge is ideal for those who want to replace several missing teeth in a row, but don’t want to undergo implant surgery or have insufficient jaw bone density to support dental implants. Instead of dental implants, this teeth replacement option uses the teeth on either side of the row of missing teeth to secure the dental bridge in place.
Pros of tooth-supported bridge
No surgery or recovery time required
Looks and functions like natural teeth
Less expensive than an implant-supported bridge
Cons of tooth-supported bridge
Supporting teeth may be at risk of damage
Existing teeth may need to be removed
Does not prevent jaw bone loss
Can be difficult to clean, especially if food gets caught underneath the tooth bridge
