Options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth

Monday, May 08, 2006

If one tooth or two teeth are missing, there are several options available for replacing missing teeth.
Removable Partial Denture - A RPD is a prosthesis made out of medal and acrylic or just acrylic. The acrylic is a plastic type material that is pinkish in color and resembles your gum tissue. The removable partial denture is designed to replace a missing tooth or several missing teeth. The artifical teeth can be made out of plastic or porcelain and are shaded to match your natural teeth. The removable partial denture is held into place by tiny medal clasps or plastic attatchments known as precision attatchments that fit snug against the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth for stability. If more teeth are lost, artificial teeth can often be added onto the existing removable partial denture. Very little, if any tooth preperation is needed. There are also several different types of removable partial dentures available.


Maryland Bridge - A Maryland Bridge, also known as a resin-bonded bridge is an ultra-conservative treatment option to replace a missing tooth. Unlike a traditional (fixed) bridge, which requires the two teeth next to the missing tooth to be crowned, a Maryland Bridge only requires a slight adjustment to the teeth next to the missing tooth.

A Maryland Bridge is a pontic (artificial tooth), with two medal wings, one on each side. These medal wings are cemented on the lingual (tongue) side of each tooth next to the missing tooth. The artificial tooth can be made out of porcelain, shaded to match your natural teeth, or out of gold. Should the Maryland Bridge ever become loose or fall out, the Maryland bridge can be sent to the lab to have the medal wings re-etched and then the bridge can be cemented back into place.

Tomorrow, I will discuss a couple more options available to replace a missing tooth or teeth.