Missing teeth can deal a serious blow to your confidence. According to Harvard Health Publishing, 60% of adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease that increases the risk and repercussions of tooth loss, so discussing this topic is important. If you’re missing a tooth, here are five ways to fix it.

1. Implants

Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace a missing tooth because your replacement tooth will pretty much behave just like a real tooth. This is our preferred method of tooth replacement and is quickly becoming the go-to solution for single or multiple missing teeth. These implants replace the root of the tooth, and you can use them for chewing, brushing, smiling, and everything else you’d use your real teeth for.

2. Fixed Bridge

A bridge is an optional solution when you have a missing tooth where both teeth are in place on either side. You can create a bridge between the two existing teeth to replace the missing tooth, but this means you have to grind down your healthy teeth. Bridges can also be difficult to clean and have a high risk of the anchoring teeth getting a cavity and the entire bridge needing to be replaced.

3. Flippers

Flippers are a temporary option for a missing tooth. Similar to a retainer that snaps in place with a fake tooth attached. We do not like to make flippers because even though they esthetically fill the space with a fake tooth they are very weak, made of plastic, you are unable to eat with it in place, and they easily flap around.

4. Removable Full Dentures

Removable full dentures can be a good option for people with several missing teeth, and they’re especially common for the elderly. Removable full dentures replace all the teeth in your mouth with a set of dentures, but you can remove those dentures when you need them out of the way.

5. Partial Dentures

Partial dentures are another removable option that some people use for missing teeth. These are basically the same as removable full dentures, but they only replace some of your teeth. Keep in mind that partial dentures may not be an option if you’re missing a large number of teeth.

Everybody wants to have a nice smile, but missing teeth can make people feel self-conscious and cause difficulty with speech and chewing. Fortunately, there are a handful of options when it comes to replacing a missing tooth. If you’ve got missing teeth you’re self-conscious about, call Phillips & Schmitt, DDS, PA and we’ll help you figure out the best way to fix them.