Options for Replacing a Lost Tooth

Losing even one tooth can make big changes in dental health and appearance, even if it is a back tooth, well out of sight when you smile. That's because the bone beneath that gap will begin to shrink once it has no tooth root to support, and surrounding teeth tend to shift towards that gap, changing tooth alignment. Preventing these changes means replacing that lost tooth quickly. So what are your options for replacing a lost tooth in Singapore?

Dental Implants Singapore

Most Singapore dental professionals will tell you that the best course of action, in terms of both dental health and appearance, is a dental implant, since this is the tooth replacement option that most closely mimics the structure of a natural tooth. Unlike any other option available today, dental implant restoration replaces both the root and the crown of a missing tooth. This benefits oral health by providing protection against bone loss in the jaw, which occurs in areas of the jaw where tooth roots are missing, and benefits comfort and appearance by providing a replacement tooth that looks, feels and functions just like a healthy natural tooth. Also, replacing your missing tooth with a dental implant is an option that lasts decades or even a lifetime if you're careful about oral hygiene and regular dental care, as opposed to the 5 to 7 year longevity you can expect from other options.

Fixed Dental Bridge

A fixed dental bridge is another option for the replacement of a single missing tooth. This is a dental appliance that is typically constructed of a pair of crowns with a false tooth placed between them. The crowns are fitted onto natural teeth on either side of the gap that the false tooth will fill, providing the support that it needs to stay in place. A fixed bridge can be expected to last an average of 7 years before it requires replacement. While a fixed bridge does offer a fast solution to tooth loss and the aesthetic issues it causes, it has disadvantages too, including providing no protection against bone loss, the need to alter healthy, surrounding teeth to hold the crowns, and sometimes, damage to or loss of those supporting teeth over time.

Removable Dental Bridge

A removable dental bridge is a false tooth or teeth that is held in place with metal clasps that grip adjacent natural teeth. These are removed for cleaning and at night. While these appliances can offer a quick dental restoration with low initial cost, they will need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years as bone loss alters their fit. Additionally, aesthetic outcomes typically aren't as good with these appliances as with other options, since the metal clasps often show, and those clasps can, over time, wear away at the natural teeth they depend on for support, causing further dental problems.

So there are your basic options for replacing a missing tooth in Singapore. Among the three, dental implants are the option that most Singapore patients are typically most satisfied with, since they offer better aesthetic results than other options, as well as greater comfort, protection of oral health and longevity.