Single Tooth Vs. Multiple Teeth Replacement Options

• Options For Single Tooth Replacement
• Options For Multiple Teeth Replacement
• 209 NYC Dentations

Our society has not been kind to our teeth. We have too much sugar in our diets. This leads to tooth decay, periodontal disease, and premature tooth loss. We play contact sports and unfortunately can be the victims of an unforeseen accident. Systemic ailments like diabetes also contribute to the American missing teeth phenomenon. The statistics are startling:

• 36 million Americans have no teeth at all.
• According to The American College of Prosthodontists, 178 million people are missing at least one tooth.
• According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, by age 50, the average American has lost 12 teeth. That is a loss of 37% of their total dentition.

Options For Single Tooth Replacement

The Three-Unit Fixed Bridge

1. Has been successfully used for decades
2. Non-invasive
3. Completed quickly in two visits
4. Down Side: Teeth on either side of the missing tooth must be prepared (gently filed down) to accept a crown. The false tooth (pontic) is joined to the two crowns in front and behind the space. The three unit bridge is then cemented in over the prepped teeth and thus filling in the missing space. It is difficult to floss under the pontic.

The Single Implant

1. Known as the “gold standard” of modern dentistry for tooth replacement.
2. A titanium false root (the implant) is gently placed into the bone.
3. After 3 months, the implant has “fused” to the bone (osseous integration).
4. The abutment (post) is then screwed into the implant and juts out through the gum.
5. A beautiful porcelain crown is then placed over the abutment completing the case.
6. No other teeth are touched.
7. The patient can floss the new tooth.
8. Most natural, functional, and cosmetic way to restore a missing tooth.
9. Down Side: The single implant is a small surgical procedure at the time of implant insertion and it takes 3 months before final restoration is completed.

Options for Multiple Teeth Replacement

The Multiple Abutment And Pontic Fixed Bridge

• Similar to the three unit fixed bridge
• More teeth will be prepared for crowns to accommodate the increase in missing teeth.
• Having 3, 4, or even 6 abutments is not unusual to support 2-5 missing teeth.

Multiple Implants

•  Similar to the single implant restoration
•  Now the multiple implants are connected by a false tooth or teeth. These false teeth (pontics) connect to crowns that are made to fit over the implants. We are creating a fixed bridge that gets cemented over the implants instead of prepared natural teeth.
•  If many teeth are missing (edentulous) and we want to limit the amount of implants being placed, a removable denture or bridge can be constructed to clip on and off the implants (usually four in number).

Removable Dentures And Partial Dentures

•   Replace as many missing teeth as needed with one simple device.
•   Inexpensive
•   Dentures can be completed in a week. They are made in our in-house office by a master technician.
•   Can replace missing bone and restore facial contours as well as missing teeth.
•   Removable and they must come out when you go to sleep.
•   75% of function of an implant bridge is lost.
•   Can impede speech and chewing in some cases.

Missing Tooth Replacement at 209 NYC Dental

209 NYC Dental is a multispeciality dental office. We are the longest continuing practice in New York State. Our team of dental specialists are here to treat you at the very highest level of clinical excellence and compassion. Whether you have missing teeth or just want to keep your teeth healthy, please call and make an appointment.  You will always leave with a smile.