If you’re looking to replace a missing tooth, there’s no doubt that dental implants remain the gold standard. They mimic the functionality and aesthetic of teeth like no other treatment.

Unfortunately, they aren’t always the ideal solution for everyone for reasons including clinical suitability, dental anxiety and cost.  

If you’re seeking to deal with gaps in your teeth, but implant-based treatments are closed off to you, you might find some useful tips below…

How can I replace missing teeth without implants?

There are alternative tooth replacement options to implants such as:

Dentures

Removable false teeth that are held in position over your gums with suction. 

Bridges

Fixed restorations using a false tooth (known as a pontic) and a crowned tooth. The crowned tooth or teeth on either side of the gap support the false teeth, bridging the gap in the middle.

Conventional bridges can be destructive (as they put significant pressure on the supporting teeth), but resin-bonded bridges can be a viable alternative for front teeth. These bridges have a less invasive effect on your teeth, as minimal preparation is needed. However, they aren’t suited to teeth responsible for most of your biting and chewing, as there is a risk of loosening.  

Why you might be ill-suited to dental implants

In an ideal world, anyone with gaps in their smile would be suitable for implants. However, as it stands this isn’t the case, though modern dentistry moves at breakneck speed, so this could be a reality someday.

You might not be a good candidate for dental implants if you:

• Have suffered significant jawbone loss as a result of gum disease or living with missing teeth for many years.

• Do not like the idea of a surgical procedure (implants are surgically inserted under local anaesthetic).

• Are looking for a cost-effective solution. Implant-based treatments can be twice as expensive as dentures and bridges (though they do tend to last for double the time, with good care).

What happens if I leave the gap in my smile untreated?

It’s never going to be good news to leave a gap in your teeth for a sustained period.

Even within a matter of weeks, you become susceptible to a range of problems including:  

Jawbone shrinkage

The clinical name for loss of jawbone is resorption. This happens because the jaw is triggered into thinking it is redundant, since it no longer has any stimulation (provided by the teeth). The aesthetic consequences of this can be severe. Once your jawbone’s volume deteriorates, your face shape becomes affected.

Tooth movement

When gaps in your smile occur, healthy teeth can linger into the gap, causing further unnatural gaps in your teeth.

Oral health complications

Having gaps in your teeth can increase your risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.

Looking to the future

Tooth replacement is arguably the most important service a dentist can provide, and the future of tooth replacement is bright.

There are currently researchers looking into how humans might be able to replicate the regenerative qualities possessed by sharks (who can grow up to 100,000 teeth in a single lifetime!) Understanding how the cells which allow sharks to do this could be critical for the future of dentistry. Watch this space!

In the meantime, though, if you have any questions about the advantages of dental implants for tooth replacement or wish to know more about dentures and bridges, speak to one of the Nova Smiles dentists for free advice and guidance.