Tooth Replacement: Which Solution Is Best?

Tooth loss is not only a cosmetic issue – it also affects self-confidence, chewing function, speech ability, and in the long term, the health of the jaw. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers many different tooth replacement options, so everyone can find the solution that best suits their needs.

Modern, comfortable, and aesthetic dental prostheses can be used to replace even a single tooth, but they are also effective for replacing multiple teeth or an entire row of teeth. Below, we explain the different options in more detail.

Why Is Tooth Replacement Necessary?

Tooth loss is not only an aesthetic issue, as it can have serious health consequences if left untreated. Missing teeth can change the bite, make chewing more difficult, and affect speech. It can also cause neighboring teeth to start shifting in order to close the gap left by the missing tooth or teeth.

In the long term, tooth loss can lead to jawbone loss and changes in the structure of the jawbone. That is why it is important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible, as this helps maintain overall oral and jaw health while also preserving your natural self-confidence..

Options for Tooth Replacement

Today, there are many different options when it comes to dental prostheses and treatment methods, allowing patients to choose the solution that suits them best. The ideal solution naturally depends largely on individual treatment needs and budget.

One popular solution for tooth replacement is a dental implant. This option is not only innovative but also very durable. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone. A single crown, a bridge, or even an entire row of teeth can then be attached to it.. 

The advantage of this solution is that it can last a lifetime, functions stably like a natural tooth, and at the same time preserves the structure of the jaw. It is also aesthetic and natural in appearance, so no one will notice that it is not your own tooth.

Another option is a dental crown, provided that your natural tooth root is preserved and strong enough. If the natural tooth crown is damaged but the root remains intact, a dental crown can help restore both function and appearance. Crowns are typically used in cases of extensive decay, after root canal treatment, or if the tooth is fractured. The most commonly used material is zirconium, which provides excellent results both functionally and cosmetically.

Dental Bridges

Our dentists also work with dental bridges, but this option is only necessary when several teeth need to be replaced at once. If one or more neighboring teeth are missing, a dental bridge can be a sensible choice.

The bridge is supported by one or more teeth (abutment teeth) on each side of the missing tooth or teeth, which are replaced by intermediate bridge units. The advantage of a dental bridge is that it is often just as stable and durable a solution as a dental implant and can be completed more quickly.

However, it is important to note that we only recommend a bridge if the neighboring teeth (which support the bridge) also need crowns. Since we do not want to prepare or grind down healthy teeth, we generally recommend implants for missing teeth if there is no need for crowns on the adjacent teeth. Therefore, a dental bridge is not necessarily the best solution for everyone.

Removable Dentures

When several teeth are missing, or there is insufficient bone tissue for implantation, a removable dental prosthesis may be considered. It can be made as a partial denture, a full denture, or a denture that is fixed onto dental implants (also a full denture).

Modern removable dentures offer a softer, more natural appearance and are far more comfortable than earlier solutions. Therefore, there is no reason to worry that they will look old-fashioned or unnatural, as highly innovative technologies are used in this field to continuously improve available solutions.