My Blog
Posts for tag: missing teeth
Anyone at any age, including older children and teenagers, can lose or be born missing a permanent tooth. And while those missing teeth can be restored, replacing them in patients who haven’t yet reached adulthood can be tricky.
That’s because their dental and facial development isn’t finished. This is especially problematic for dental implants because as the jaws continue to grow, a “non-growing” implant could eventually appear out of alignment with the surrounding natural teeth. That’s why it’s often better to install a temporary restoration until the jaws fully mature in early adulthood. Two great choices are a removable partial denture (RPD) or a bonded (“Maryland”) bridge.
While “dentures” and “teens” don’t seem to go together, an RPD in fact can effectively restore a teen’s lost dental function and appearance. Of the various types of RPDs the one usually recommended for teens has a hard acrylic base colored to resemble the gums, to which we attach prosthetic (“false”) teeth at their appropriate positions on the jaw.
Besides effectiveness, RPDs are easy to clean and maintain. On the downside, though, an RPD can break and—as a removable appliance—become lost. They can also lose their fit due to changes in jaw structure.
The bonded bridge is similar to a traditional fixed bridge. But there’s one big difference: traditional bridges crown the natural teeth on either side of the missing teeth to secure them in place. The supporting teeth must be significantly (and permanently) altered to accommodate the life-like crowns on either end of the bridge.
Instead, a bonded bridge affixes “wings” of dental material extending from the back of the bridge to the back of the natural teeth on either side. While not quite as strong as a regular bridge, the bonded bridge avoids altering any natural teeth.
While a fixed bridge conveniently stays in place, they’re more difficult than an RPD to keep clean. And while less prone to breakage, they aren’t entirely immune to certain stresses from biting and chewing especially in the presence of some poor bites (how the upper and lower teeth come together).
Choosing between the two restorations will depend on these and other factors. But either choice can serve your teen well until they’re able to permanently replace their missing teeth.
If you would like more information on dental restorations for teens, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.
Blog Content
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- celebrity smiles (54)
- oral cancer (3)
- gum disease (14)
- dentures (3)
- oral health (21)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- pediatric dentistry (13)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- braces (7)
- cosmetic dentistry (10)
- smile makeover (2)
- crowns (5)
- tooth grinding (1)
- fluoride (1)
- bad breath (1)
- bonding (1)
- birth control (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- tmd (1)
- dental implants (10)
- tooth pain (3)
- oral hygiene (13)
- dry mouth (2)
- tooth decay (4)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- root canal treatment (3)
- mouthguards (3)
- aspirin (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- dental injury (6)
- mouthguard (1)
- orthodontic treatment (9)
- mouth sore (1)
- retainers (2)
- tooth replacement (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- missing tooth (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- orthodontics (5)
- dental cleaning (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- air abrasion (1)
- toothache (3)
- veneers (2)
- oral appliance (1)
- fillings (1)
- dental visit (2)
- saliva (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- antibiotics (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- smoking (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- crown lengthening (1)
- root canal (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- retainer (2)
- teeth whitening (5)
- loose tooth (1)
- tads (1)
- laser dentistry (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- canker sores (1)
- nutrition (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- pulp capping (1)
- Dental Crowns and Bridges (3)
- Dental Staff Olympia Fields (1)
- IL (1)
- vaping (1)
