Tooth Replacement

Crown
Crowns (sometimes referred to as caps) are used to cover teeth that have been weakened by decay around fillings or that are severely damaged, decayed, chipped, discolored, or misalign. Crowns are usually required after a root canal treatment. The most common materials used for crowns are porcelain and  gold.
It usually takes two visits to complete this procedure. first the dentist removes the decay and shapes the tooth into a base for a crown. An impression is made and sent to the laboratory where the crown is made. The tooth is protected by a temporary crown. On the return visit, the temporary crown is replaced with the new permanent one which is cemented to the tooth.

Bridge
Bridge is a  restoration which replaces one or more teeth. There are two types of bridges-fixed and removable. Fixed bridges are bonded into place using adjoining teeth as a support. Removable bridges can be removed for cleaning, but they are less desirable than fixed bridges and less stable.
There are many reasons why bridges should be consider to replace missing teeth.
When a tooth is lost, the nearby teeth may tilt toward the empty space, or the teeth in the opposite jaw may move up or down toward the space. This places unusual stress on both the teeth and tissues in your mouth. A bridge helps maintain the natural shape of your face and may help support your lips and cheeks. Missing teeth can also affect the way you chew and speak. Materials used are metals or combination of porcelain and metal.

DENTURES
Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth. They can either replace a few missing teeth (partial dentures) or a complete set of missing teeth (full dentures):

Full Dentures:
This type of prosthesis is for individuals missing a complete set of teeth in the upper, lower or both jaws. It is generally acrylic in composition, and removable. Dentures that fit properly can improve your appearance, eating and speaking. The denture must be cleaned 2-3 times daily, both on the inside and the outside.  Once the denture is made some adjustments are inevitable before the denture has a perfect fit.  

Partial Dentures:
Sometimes referred to as removable bridges, this type of restoration is used to replace one or more missing teeth.. Partial dentures consist of a metal skeleton with an acrylic base covering the metal and containing the teeth. They generally will have a few clasps to hold the denture in place. A cosmetic alternative is a partial denture with precision attachments instead of the clasps. Wearing a partial denture can help your remaining teeth stay in position. When there are spaces between natural teeth, the teeth may drift or tip, placing unnatural stress on the tissues of the mouth. With your missing teeth replaced, chewing is easier and more comfortable. Replacing missing teeth with partial denture   will also improve your speech, and appearance.

Immediate Dentures
In some instances dentist may decide to prefabricate denture prior to extracting the teeth. The obvious advantage is that patient can wear this denture immediately after the surgery. This type of a  restoration is not a permanent one and can only be used for a limited time.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Whether you have full or partial dentures or have recently lost a tooth, implants may be an option for you. Implants attach artificial teeth directly to the jaw. There are three major components of an implant: the anchor, which may be surgically embedded into the bone, a post to which the tooth attaches to and the artificial tooth. Implants can replace one or more teeth, provide support for a partial denture, or be used to attach a full denture.

Implants may not be suitable for everyone. The procedure requires an extensive surgery, therefore the potential patient must be in a good health, have healthy gums, have adequate bone to support the implant and be committed to meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Implants costs significantly more than dentures or bridges and require a considerable investment of time.

Extensive biological, material, and clinical research over the past several years has resulted in great success for dental implants. They restore aesthetics, self-confidence, emotional status and overall health and well-being. Implant surgery and restoration take about six to ten months to complete, but can result in a lifetime of comfort and confidence. The procedure itself is very comfortable with only a minimal amount of post-surgical discomfort.
Due to their unique ability to bond to the human bone ( osseointegration), Dental Implants also minimize future bone loss.

Special thanks to Dr. Anil Agarwal for his contribution on this subject.