Replacing missing teeth can radically improve a person’s smile and the shape of their face. As well as boosting self-esteem, there are important dental health benefits too. Having gaps where teeth are missing affects the way the rest of the teeth bite together. The remaining teeth may tilt and drift into the gaps, and food can be trapped in the spaces, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. All of this shifting, drifting and wear will lead to changes in the bite and potentially, further tooth loss. The remaining dentition, with fewer teeth, is more susceptible to excessive functional stresses and tooth wear. Furthermore, the jawbone tends to atrophy or, ‘shrink’, as a result of tooth loss. Ultimately, your ability to chew comfortably and your appearance may be affected.
There are usually three options:
The advantages of the removable appliance are that it is a more economical way to replace missing teeth than a fixed bridge. Also, you can replace multiple teeth with one appliance. If the span of missing teeth is three or more, or if there are not solid teeth on both sides of the missing teeth, a fixed bridge may not work.
The disadvantages are that it may not be as aesthetic as a bridge. Also, there may be some discomfort with wearing removable appliance in your mouth, and it is not as stable as a bridge. It may cause some limitation in food intake like Hard and sticky food cannot be chewed comfortably.
