Whether you’ve lost a tooth to an accident, decay or gum disease, you have three options for replacing it: a removable partial denture, a fixed bridge or a dental implant.

Removable partial denture

The most economical way to replace missing teeth, a single removable appliance can replace several missing teeth as long as there are solid teeth on both sides of the partial denture. Removable dentures aren’t as comfortable as fixed bridges, and the clasps that keep them in place may not be completely concealed. The quality of partial dentures vary, from inexpensive plastic “dental flippers” with a false tooth attached to the more sturdy metal and acrylic “Nesbit.”

Fixed bridge
More expensive than a removable partial denture, a fixed bridge is a permanent option for replacing a missing tooth. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are treated for dental crowns, which are then attached to the teeth and have a false tooth between them. Fixed bridges generally look and feel like your real teeth. The main disadvantage is that the teeth it’s attached to must be filed and prepared for the crowns, whether or not these teeth are healthy.

Dental implants
The most expensive option for replacing a tooth is a dental implant. An artificial root is implanted in the jaw in the space of the missing tooth. A new tooth is attached to the root, creating a permanent replacement that is just like a real tooth. Aside from the cost, which insurance may or may not cover, having a dental implant installed in your mouth can take several months, depending on the time it takes your mouth to heal after the root is implanted. Dental implants require the services of both a surgeon to attach the root and a dentist to install the tooth.

There are five major factors to consider when choosing how you want to have your tooth replaced:

• Cost. What are the costs of each option? How much of the cost will your insurance cover? Does your dentist offer payment plans?
• Time. Some procedures take more time than others, and healing times vary.
• Longevity. How long will the tooth last?
• Comfort and convenience. How comfortable will the new tooth be? What kinds of special care will it need?
• Esthetics. Will the new tooth look like it belongs? Will others notice a difference?

Preventing tooth loss
Aside from trauma and accidents, preventing tooth loss is largely a matter of properly maintaining your teeth to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hold the toothbrush against your gum line at a 45-degree angle and brush the teeth and gums thoroughly, making sure to get those hard-to-reach areas such as behind the molars. Floss daily to remove plaque and food from between the teeth and below the gum line. Use a mouthwash to kill any leftover bacteria.