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FAQ: Congenital Missing Teeth

Tooth Replacement Choices

Missing Teeth Ask The Dentist Ira Koeppel

Question:
Missing Teeth: I am a 63 year old who never got 2 of my second teeth, the upper 2 behind the canines.

Two dentists recommended removal of the baby teeth when I was in my 20's and I had this done. I was in the process of getting a Marilyn Bridge and even had the adjoining teeth filed a bit when my husband made me move to another state.

Now that I'm older it seems that those 2 gaps are vey noticable when I smile. My teeth and gums are healthy and remain in place with no noticable shifting.

Is there anything that can be done short of implants to fill the gaps even if it is some sort of removable bridge I can wear when I want to look my best? ...Visitor from Rhode Island

Answer:
Implants are usually the nicest solution.

Not everyone, however, is a candidate for them. Anatomical features (sometimes there is just not enough room for them or proximity to the sinus floor may require a bone graft) or budget restraints often influence the choice of treatment.

The only other options include either a bridge or a partial denture. One is fixed and the other is removable, removable being the least expensive of the treatments.

And there is one other option, it is a removable temporary (interim partial). If made well this could serve you when you go out and smile, however I usually do not recommend eating with this. They sometimes break and are not reinforced as well as a regular partial denture.

Ira D. Koeppel, D.D.S.
New York Reconstructive Dentistry
126 Gnarled Hollow Road
East Setauket Long Island, NY 11733
(631) 689-9777

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