In many countries, it is traditional for the Tooth Fairy to come and take a child’s lost tooth, leaving money in its place. In Hispanic countries, however, things are a little different — instead of a fairy, a small, magic mouse named Perez comes to take children’s teeth.
If you lose your tooth, or multiple teeth, as an adult, there won’t be any magic mouse to help you out. Luckily, though, there are at least several options that can help you restore the look and feel of your teeth. As anyone with missing teeth has probably found out, the issues are more than just cosmetic — we use our teeth in talking and in chewing, and both actions can be complicated by tooth loss.
If you have lost one or more of your teeth and are searching for solutions, here are a few things you should keep in mind.
Dentures
- Conventional dentures are removable prosthetic devices that fit over the upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) arch, replicating the appearance of teeth and gums.
- If people still have some teeth left, they might be hesitant to get complete dentures. Dentists might recommend this, however, if the teeth are likely to be lost soon in the same way (a medication, for example, might cause inevitable tooth loss).
- Patients with dentures sometimes experience discomfort because of the way it sits against the mouth. For those who wear upper dentures, a loss of taste is common as well.
- Mid-priced dentures usually cost between $500 and $1,500 per denture; insurance will typically cover a portion of this cost.
Partial Dentures, or Bridges
- For patients who only want to replace a few teeth, partial dentures and bridges are an option. Partial dentures are removable, while bridges are fixed in place, using crowns that fit on the teeth next to the missing tooth.
- Bridges are more stable, but also more expensive, and they require the supporting teeth to be shaved down in order to support the crown.
- Bridges and partial dentures cost an average of about $7,000.
Implants and Dental Mini Implants
- Dental implants are a solution for patients who want to restore the exact look and feel of their old teeth. Implants are made from titanium that is screwed into the jaw, with which it fuses like a real root. A fake tooth is then attached to the top of the implant, creating the appearance of a real tooth.
- What is a mini dental implant? Dental mini implants are a smaller option, and they are used either when bone is not thick enough to support traditional implants, or when more support is desired for denture prosthetics.
- Implants cost an average of between $2,000 and $4,000 per tooth. Mini dental implant costs range from about $1,000 to $3,000. A maxillary denture will usually use four mini implant dental screws to keep it in place more firmly.
Are you interested in dentures or dental mini implants? Let us know in the comments.
