Dental prosthetic devices replace or repair missing or damaged teeth. They can do much more than improve your smile. A missing tooth can affect your ability to chew and increase your risk of gum disease. A missing tooth can also affect the health of the jawbones and put other teeth at risk.
There are different types of fixed dental appliances, such as crowns and implants, and removable appliances, including full or partial dentures, which can be removed as needed.
In this article, we look at five types of dental braces so you can have an informed discussion with your dentist about which one might be best for you.
A dental crown is a new covering for a damaged tooth.
A crown can be made of metal or porcelain. Crowns tend to be good long-term solutions for teeth that are chipped, cracked or worn. However, teeth that require significant restoration are at a much higher risk of failure, according to a 2018 study in
Getting a crown often requires two appointments. In a typical procedure for a dental crown, a dentist will:
- Get a soft mold of your teeth.
- Fill any cavities in the damaged tooth (if needed).
- Trim the tooth to prepare it to receive a crown.
- Place a temporary crown on the tooth while a permanent crown is made in the lab.
- After a few weeks, place a permanent crown that is cemented into place.
Dental offices that can do on-site crowns may offer same-day crowns.
Crowns are considered a relatively permanent solution. Once a crown is placed, it should last 5 to 15 years or longer if properly maintained. You should brush and floss a tooth with a crown as you would any other tooth.
A crown can crack or chip over time, or the cement that holds it in place can soften. This can allow bacteria to enter and infect the tooth.
One option for replacing a missing tooth is a dental implant. This type of prosthesis is placed on the jawbone and held in place as new bone material forms around it.
Here is the standard procedure for a dental implant:
- An implant (a screw-like device) is first inserted into the jawbone.
- The dentist can add an abutment that holds the crown in place. If the bone around the implant needs to heal first, the abutment will be added a few months later.
- A crown is attached to the abutment to match the surrounding teeth.
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But while implants are widely used, they can have some mechanical, technical and biological drawbacks
- screw loosening
- cement failure
- broken china
- complications in the soft tissue or bone around the implant
The decision to choose implants or dentures can depend on cost and whether there is enough bone to place an implant.
Cost is also an important factor in dental implants. An implant can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $3,000 for the implant alone. Then a crown and possible abutment could be another $1,500 to $3,000. In comparison, the American Dental Association states that full upper or lower dentures cost about $1,600. These costs also depend on your location.
When one or more teeth are missing, a dental bridge is a compromise between dentures and implants.
As the name suggests, a dental bridge is meant to bridge a gap left by missing teeth. A bridge is usually anchored to natural teeth at both ends of the gap and may consist of one or more false teeth called bridges. In some cases, a bridge can be attached to an implant for added security and stability.
A bridge is often made of porcelain to resemble natural teeth and must be brushed and flossed regularly. Special dental flossing aids called threaders may be necessary to floss between the bridge and the gum line.
Here’s the standard process to get a bridge:
- At the first appointment, the anchor teeth on either side of the bridge are filed into shape and a mold of your mouth is made. A temporary bridge can be made to fill the gap and a permanent one within a few weeks.
- At the second appointment, the permanent bridge is placed. Any necessary minor adjustments are made so that the bridge looks natural and works with your natural bite. The bridge is then cemented into place.
A well-built bridge can last for decades, but 5 to 15 years is a reasonable expectation.
Court fees for a bridge it can range from $500 per pontoon to $1,200 or more. This cost does not include the cost of a crown, which alone can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 per tooth. Like other denture appliances, this cost depends on your location.
Dentures are prosthetic devices that fit comfortably over the gums and look and function like natural teeth. They are also referred to as false teeth.
The extent of tooth loss and your preference will help you determine what type of dentures are best for you. The most common types of dentures include:
- Complete dentures replace all your teeth and must be removed daily for cleaning.
- Removable partial dentures replace some but not all of your teeth.
- Fixed partial dentures they are also known as implant-supported bridges.
- Dentures retained by implants placed on implants but must be removed daily for cleaning (also called snap-in dentures).
Another type of denture is called a flipper. These are temporary partial dentures that replace one or two teeth. They are made of less durable materials than regular partial dentures, as they are meant to be used for a short period of time.
Veneers can help improve the color and appearance of natural teeth by covering them with a thin, natural-looking shell.
Here’s the standard procedure for getting a veneer:
- The dentist will scrape the enamel off your teeth and take a mold of your mouth.
- Using the mold, lab technicians will create your porcelain or composite resin veneers. The process can take a few weeks.
- The veneers are then bonded to your teeth. An ultraviolet light is used to quickly harden the cement that keeps the veneers attached to your teeth.
You must have relatively healthy teeth to support a veneer. Veneers can last 10 to 15 years before needing replacement.
Veneers range in price from about $925 to $2,500 per tooth.
A dental prosthesis is useful for providing one or more of the following benefits:
- improving the appearance of your teeth, boosting self-confidence and self-esteem
- improving your ability to chew, allowing you to consume a healthy diet
- supporting the health and strength of the jawbone, supporting the strength of other teeth
- protection against gum disease that can lead to serious health problems
See a dentist soon if you have just lost a tooth or have been missing a tooth for a long time. A missing tooth can contribute to surrounding bone loss and increase the risk of gingivitis. Both can affect your overall oral health. The longer you wait, the more extensive and irreversible the damage can be.
Other symptoms that should prompt a discussion with a dentist about prosthetic solutions include:
Getting a denture can be a life-changing decision. A dental prosthesis can improve your smile and how you feel about your appearance, improve your oral health and avoid problems related to nutrition, digestion, gum disease and loss of jaw material.
Visit a dentist to begin finding the right prosthetic solution for your dental needs and to decide which one might be best for your health and budget.
