Dental Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
Replacing missing teeth is essential for more than just a beautiful smile—it’s critical for preserving confidence, chewing efficiency, clear speech, and long-term oral health. Gaps left untreated can cause neighbouring teeth to shift, leading to bite misalignment, difficulty cleaning teeth, and a higher risk of decay, gum disease, and further tooth loss.
Missing teeth also contribute to jawbone loss, resulting in facial sagging and a prematurely aged appearance. Dental implants help restore your smile and maintain bone density and facial structure. Dental bridges and dentures also offer good options to replace missing teeth.
At Amazing Smiles Restorative Dental, we provide tooth replacement services combined with flexible payment options. We work with patients’ budgets to help them achieve their desired smiles.
Options to suite your budget for Replacing Missing Teeth
Tooth Replacement Options
Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Different types of dental implants exist, including endosteal and subperiosteal implants. Endosteal implants are placed directly into the jawbone, while subperiosteal implants are positioned on the jawbone but underneath the gum tissue.
Types of Dental Implants for tooth replacement
What’s Involved in Getting a Dental Implant?
The dental implant process is a multi-step treatment designed to replace missing teeth with a natural-looking, long-lasting solution. It begins with a comprehensive examination, including X-rays or 3D scans, to assess your jawbone health, gum condition, and overall suitability for an implant.
If there isn’t enough bone to securely support the implant, bone grafting or other preparatory procedures may be performed first. Once your jaw is ready, the implant fixture, a small titanium post, is surgically placed into the bone. Over the next few months, the implant fuses with the bone through osseointegration, creating a stable foundation for your new tooth.
When healing is complete, an abutment is attached to connect the implant to your final restoration. A custom-made crown, bridge, or denture, crafted to match your natural teeth’s colour, shape, and size, is then secured to the abutment, restoring your smile’s function and appearance.
At Amazing Smiles, we use advanced technology and personalised treatment planning to ensure your dental implant looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth, helping you chew comfortably, speak clearly, and smile confidently for years to come.
Ceramic dental bridges are a popular option for replacing missing teeth and restoring the appearance and function of your smile.
Different types of ceramic dental bridges exist for tooth replacement, including:
- Traditional bridges: Traditional bridges consist of dental crowns on either side of the gap, with a pontic (artificial tooth) in between.
- Cantilever bridges: Cantilever bridges are similar but only require one dental crown for support.
- Maryland bridges: Maryland bridges use a metal or porcelain framework bonded to the back of adjacent teeth.
Getting a Dental Bridge – Step-by-Step Process
A dental bridge is a reliable restorative option for replacing one or more missing teeth, restoring both appearance and function. The process begins with preparing the adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) by gently reshaping them to support the crowns that will anchor the bridge securely.
Next, your dentist takes precise impressions or digital scans of your teeth, which serve as the blueprint for your custom-made bridge. While your permanent ceramic bridge is being crafted, a temporary bridge may be placed to protect the prepared teeth, maintain bite alignment, and allow normal eating and speaking.
Once your permanent bridge is ready, it is checked for a perfect fit, colour match, and aesthetics to ensure it blends seamlessly with your natural teeth. The bridge is then permanently cemented, creating a firm and natural-looking restoration.
Ceramic dental bridges are valued for their durability and lifelike appearance, closely matching your natural teeth’s colour, shape, and translucency. They can restore chewing ability, improve speech clarity, prevent shifting of surrounding teeth, and enhance your smile’s overall look.
Dentures are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring the functionality and aesthetics of your smile.
Complete dentures are used when all teeth in an arch are missing.
They consist of a flesh-coloured acrylic base that supports a complete set of artificial teeth. These dentures are custom-made to fit comfortably and securely in your mouth.
Partial dentures are recommended when some natural teeth remain. They are designed to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth, improving appearance and function.
Partial dentures are held in place with clasps that attach to adjacent teeth.
Getting Dentures – Step-by-Step Process
Getting dentures is carefully planned to ensure comfort, function, and a natural appearance. It begins with a dental examination and impressions of your mouth, which serve as the foundation for creating your custom dentures.
Next, our team works with you to select your new teeth’s ideal shape, size, and shade, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your facial features and give you a confident smile. Custom dentures are then fabricated precisely for a secure and comfortable fit.
Once your dentures are ready, you’ll have a fitting appointment, during which we will check their comfort, bite alignment, and overall look.
Denture adjustments can be made to ensure they feel natural and function properly. We’ll also provide clear guidance on how to care for and maintain your dentures, helping extend their lifespan and protect your oral health.
Repair Damaged Teeth
If you’re embarrassed by severely damaged, stained, broken, or decayed teeth, Amazing Smiles can help you regain confidence and restore your oral health. Our experienced and compassionate dental team specialises in creating personalised treatment plans that combine affordable solutions with advanced cosmetic dentistry to meet your unique needs.
Whether you require restorative treatments, cosmetic enhancements, or a complete smile makeover, we’re committed to delivering natural and comfortable results. With convenient locations across the Gold Coast and Brisbane’s surrounding areas, achieving a healthy, radiant smile has never been easier.
Don’t let dental concerns hold you back any longer—book your consultation today and take the first step toward a brighter, more confident smile with Amazing Smiles.
What is the cheapest option to replace missing teeth?
The most budget-friendly solution for replacing missing teeth is dentures. They are more affordable because they require less time to produce and involve no surgery or dental crowns. Instead, the process involves taking an impression of your mouth along with precise measurements to create a comfortable, customized fit. The most affordable of these are conventional full dentures and partial acrylic dentures.
How do you fix missing teeth without implants?
If implants aren’t an option, several effective alternatives are available. Dental bridges fill gaps by anchoring to adjacent teeth, while removable partial dentures offer an affordable way to replace multiple teeth. Complete dentures restore full arches, though they may need adjustments over time. Maryland bridges work well for missing front teeth, and temporary flippers provide a quick, short-term solution.
Who is not suitable for dental implants?
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for dental implants. Individuals who may not qualify include:
- Insufficient Jawbone Density – If the jawbone is too weak or thin, it may not support an implant, though bone grafts may help.
- Gum Disease – Untreated periodontal disease can compromise the success of implants.
- Chronic Health Conditions – Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders can affect healing and increase risks.
- Smokers – Smoking impairs healing and raises the risk of implant failure.
- Young Patients – Implants are not recommended for individuals whose jawbones are still developing.
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) – Excessive grinding can damage implants unless managed with a mouthguard.
If dental implants aren’t suitable, alternatives like bridges, dentures, or other non-surgical options may be recommended.
Can you get a fake tooth for one tooth?
Yes, a single missing tooth can be replaced with several options. A dental implant offers a long-lasting, natural-looking solution, while a bridge fills the gap by anchoring to adjacent teeth. For a temporary fix, a flipper tooth provides a removable option, and a Maryland bridge offers a minimally invasive way to replace front teeth. Your dentist can help you choose the best option based on your needs and preferences.
What is the healthiest way to replace missing teeth?
The healthiest way to replace missing teeth is typically with dental implants. Implants mimic natural tooth roots, integrating with the jawbone to maintain bone density and prevent bone loss. They offer excellent stability, restoring full chewing function and supporting neighboring teeth to prevent shifting. Additionally, implants are durable and easy to maintain with regular oral hygiene. For those who are not candidates for implants, bridges or implant-supported dentures are also healthy options, as they restore function while preserving oral health. A consultation with your dentist can determine the most suitable and healthy solution for your needs.
What are my options if I have multiple missing teeth?
If you have multiple missing teeth, options include dental bridges for adjacent teeth, partial dentures for gaps in different areas, and complete dentures for replacing all teeth in an arch. For a more durable solution, implant-supported bridges or implant-supported dentures offer greater stability and help prevent bone loss. Your dentist can guide you in choosing the best option based on your oral health, budget, and lifestyle.
Is it normal to lose a tooth or multiple teeth?
While losing teeth is common, it’s not considered a normal part of healthy aging. Tooth loss can result from various factors, including tooth decay, gum disease, injury, or poor oral hygiene. In children, losing baby teeth is normal as part of development, but in adults, it signals underlying dental issues that need attention. Regular dental care, including cleanings and check-ups, helps prevent tooth loss. If teeth are lost, options like implants, bridges, or dentures can restore function and appearance, preventing further complications.
At what age do adults start losing teeth?
Adults can start losing teeth at any age, but significant tooth loss typically becomes more common after age 35, often due to factors like gum disease, tooth decay, or trauma. Gum disease (periodontitis) is the leading cause of tooth loss, especially in adults over 40. By age 65 and older, many adults experience more extensive tooth loss, with studies showing that nearly 1 in 5 older adults are completely edentulous (without teeth). However, tooth loss is preventable with good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and timely treatments.
By age 21, a person typically has 32 adult teeth. The last four to appear are the wisdom teeth, which are often removed because they can crowd existing teeth, disrupt alignment, and cause bite issues, leading to pain or tooth damage.
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