Dentures. The most affordable tooth replacement solution is dentures. This is because they take the least amount of time to create.
Dentures
Dentures are low cost way and cheaper alternative for replacing missing teeth. Dental bridges can be more expensive because in order to replace one tooth you effectively need to pay for three, two abutment teeth (one either side of the gap) and the new pontic (replacement tooth) in the middle.
Call 1-888-Ask-HRSA to find out about federally-funded community health centers across the country that provide free or reduced-cost health services, including dental care. Community clinics can be a great way to get dental care affordably.
Whether or not you've stayed a long time after having your teeth extracted is not a reason not to undergo dental implants. So it doesn't matter the number of years you've spent; 3, 5, 10 or any number of years past, you can still get your dental implant surgery.
Depending on the number of teeth missing, a dentist may recommend bridges, crowns, inlays, onlays or fillings. There are also dental implants, which work great for people without any teeth. As a permanent solution, patients never have to worry about problems going forward. A dental bridge is a possibility as well.
Be sure to brush gently around the extraction site. After 24 hours, you can rinse with warm salt water to wash away food debris and bacteria to prevent infections. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes as they irritate the wound and delay healing. If all goes well, you should feel completely fine within 1 – 2 weeks.
On the fourth through seventh days after your tooth extraction, you should begin to feel back to normal, but you should still take care around the extraction site to avoid aggravating it. Continue to eat soft foods and brush the area very gently.
One common method for patients awaiting dental implants is to use a removable retainer with a temporary tooth. This retainer snaps over the existing teeth and will cover the gap left by the missing tooth.
Dental crowns, sometimes called dental caps, serve many purposes in dentistry. They can enhance the look of a misshapen tooth, protect a tooth after a root canal, or strengthen a tooth with a large filling. Dental crowns can even replace a missing tooth.
Consequences of Not Replacing Your Back Tooth
Missing a tooth, even just one, can cause severe and permanent damage to your entire mouth. When you lose a back molar, its surrounding teeth are also impacted because they lose surrounding structure and support. Unfortunately, this causes your other back teeth to shift.
The cost of a tooth extraction varies on which type of tooth you need to remove, as well as the complexity of the procedure. Simple extractions start from $145, while more complex procedures can cost up to $500.
It's usually recommended that you take a day or two off work after having a wisdom tooth removed. You won't need a sick note from your doctor or dentist for this.
Surgical extractions are used to remove teeth that are severely decayed and can't be easily removed in one piece or teeth that are partially or fully impacted. These procedures are longer and more complicated, which is why surgical extractions are more expensive than simple extractions.
There are no federal laws or regulations that prohibit or discourage dentists from giving patients their extracted teeth. However, it is frowned upon. According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, extracted teeth are considered potentially infectious materials and should be handled accordingly.
A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like a natural tooth, a dental implant replaces a single tooth without sacrificing the health of neighboring teeth.
A dentist might pull a tooth, but an oral surgeon would be able to open up the gum tissue to remove an impacted tooth or place a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. Dentists might be able to perform oral surgery tasks if the dentists have the training.
Typically, general anesthesia is not necessary for dental implant surgery. However, you might still wish to have that option based on your personal preferences and experiences. If you do want to be completely put to sleep during your dental implant surgery, you will have to ask your dentist if they offer that option.
Moreover, an estimated 50% of the alveolar bone width is lost within 12 months after the extraction, 30% of which occurs within the first 12 weeks. Other studies have indicated that the alveolar ridge resorption is more severe on the buccal side than on the lingual side.
With numbed nerves, you can expect not to feel any pain during your dental implant procedure. You may feel pressure at times, but it should not cause you discomfort. For patients who have anxiety with dental procedures, oral sedation is available.