I’m on the hunt for an affordable dentist that might be able to help me. I have a large gap on my upper right side where I had to have two teeth out three years ago, they called them bicuspids I think? I still have two molars behind the area. The last dentist I went to said I should get implants there. My wallet can’t handle that, so what are my options for filling the space? I don’t want to leave it like this, I hate how it looks and I really miss chewing on that side.
Thanks,
Rose
Dear Rose,
It can be upsetting to try to live with missing teeth–we understand that, and most people would feel the same about the aesthetics involved. You certainly have options.
Why It’s Important
While the way your smile appears is highly important, there are other reasons for filling the gap as well that involve your oral health. When teeth are removed, eventually the neighboring teeth may begin to drift toward the gap, as they’re no longer being “held” in place by a tooth to both sides. The opposing teeth (in your case the lower teeth) that normally bite against the missing teeth may also begin to hyper-erupt, drifting upward over time. This drifting may expose the root surfaces of the existing teeth, which are much more porous than enamel and can lead to decay. It may also cause pocketing which can collect plaque and bacteria. This is difficult to clean and may encourage periodontal disease.
This isn’t to say we discount the importance of your smile! Our appearance plays a great part in our overall self-image and indeed self-confidence; this is a basic human characteristic. It’s simply valuable to note that alongside the improvement of your smile, filling the gap will also improve your oral health as well.
You Have Options
When it comes to missing teeth, you may have been encouraged to consider dental implants. While these are certainly a viable option, they can indeed be costly (per implant, and it appears you may need more than one) and must usually be placed by an oral surgeon, at times requiring the grafting of bone, or a sinus lift, among other things. You’re not alone–many patients find this outside their budget and look toward other methods of restoration.
That being said, there are a few options for your consideration, both fixed and removable. Some patients, who are losing all of their teeth, will find there are some affordable dental implant options with snap-on dentures or implant overdentures.
Fixed Option
In your case, you are only missing a couple of teeth so there are additional options. If you can’t afford dental implants, another good option is to get a dental bridge. This involves placing dental crowns on the adjacent teeth, using them as abutments, which support the “fake” teeth, and attaching false teeth between the crowns. It will be made to match your own shade of enamel and will look like your own natural teeth.
Removable Option
If that is still out of reach, another method to consider is something removable. These may be known as a “partial” (short for a removable partial denture) or a “flipper”. Partial dentures may be fabricated with a metal framework or from a nylon resin that is light and flexible and matches the shade of your gums. This then sits against the roof of your mouth and fits into place, where the “fake” teeth which match your enamel will fill the gap. You will take this out each night to clean it and allow your gums to rest.
While dental implants are your best replacement option, your dentist was under an ethical obligation to give you all your options. If he’s not willing to do this, my suggestion is you look for a dentist who is willing to work within your budgetary abilities.
This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Steven Collins.