Missing teeth can often be a source of embarrassment, as well as affect a person's quality of life. Some of the problems associated with lost teeth include difficulty eating or chewing, speech problems, and also cause the adjacent teeth to shift.

No matter your budget and needs, replacing missing teeth is possible. Your 3 main options for replacing missing teeth are Dentures, Bridges and Implants.

Dentures

A partial denture is a removable appliance that consists of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases and are connected by metal framework. These are sized to fit your mouth so they are comfortable and look as natural as possible. Partial dentures are quite affordable and are priced depending on design, they often last between 2-10 years before needed replacement or modification. The more expensive ones are designed to last longer and provide a tighter fit. However, regardless of the style, partials are removable appliances. As a result, they will often move around during eating. Some people can handle this, others find it too annoying and end up opting for one of the other tooth replacement options.

Bridges

A fixed bridge is exactly that, fixed. A bridge involves crowns on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, with a fake tooth in the middle. Visually it looks like 3 crowns fused together with the middle one resting on or near the gum tissue. This is a very solid and functional restoration which costs upwards of $2,000 and increases in cost depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. Bridges usually last between 5-15 years depending on home care and restoration complexity. The design for bridges varies on area and size. The majority of bridges are Porcelain bonded to Metal and extend right to the gums where the missing teeth are.