Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Archives for December 2017

I Have a Missing Tooth. What Are My Options?

It’s hard to truly understand the importance of your teeth until you miss one. Suddenly you may feel self-conscious and instead of smiling widely to greet a friend, you keep your lips pressed together or hold your hand over your mouth. When front teeth are missing, speaking can become a chore, as your tongue seems to keep finding its way to the hole in your mouth and eating is awkward. At Tooronga Family Dentistry we have several great options to Replace a Missing Tooth:

When it comes to ways to replace a missing tooth, there are four main options:

  • Moving adjacent teeth to close the gap with your own natural teeth.
  • Dental bridges, which are bonded or cemented into place. Teeth surrounding the gap are reduced in size and the bridge is placed over those teeth.
  • A partial denture, which can be taken out of the mouth for cleaning. Partial dentures have a clasp which can attach to your natural teeth.
  • A dental implant, or tooth implant which replaces the tooth root removed, and allows for attaching a crown on it to replace the missing tooth.

The solution chosen to replace the tooth will depend on your health, the condition of your gum tissue and bone, and your own personal preference. We will show you the advantages and disadvantages of each option for you, before you make your decision.

If you have a missing tooth or if you would like more information about the various solutions you have, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.