In previous articles, we have seen how neglecting to replace a single tooth on time can become a big liability in the future. In this article, we will discuss the treatment options for partial edentulism (where only 2-3 teeth are missing).

It is usually necessary to have a new tooth placed within 2-6 months of the tooth being erupted. There are 3 options for this.

1) Removable braces - This is the easiest and least expensive option to make. Teeth are only for appearance and are not much use in eating. Here, the teeth are fixed on the gums with an acrylic base and feel like plastic in the mouth. Over time, they become loose and sometimes fall out, becoming a laughing stock among people. If they are not cleaned properly, they create a lot of work.

2) Another option is a dental bridge which is a moderately expensive option. Before implants, “crown and bridge” was a very popular method for fixing teeth. Here, since the new tooth is fixed by making the surrounding teeth a support, it has proven to be more damaging in the long run and more expensive overall. Since the adjacent teeth have to be rubbed for support, over time, unwanted problems like decay, food getting stuck, tingling, pyorrhea, etc. have arisen.

3) After the invention of dental implants in the 1960s, the trend of placing new fixed teeth “without the support of adjacent teeth” by placing a base made of titanium metal in the bone increased greatly. Here, there is no need to grind down the adjacent virgin teeth for support! Implants will give you a strong fit that feels natural and improve your eating efficiency. Overall, they help keep your jaw healthy and make you look good. This method, which was initially expensive, has proven to be more beneficial over time.

Implants are a great option for fitting loose dentures that are difficult to eat. In the next article, we will understand how to get fixed dentures for complete edentulism (dental patients).