Missing teeth can cause anxiety, low self-esteem and it can even change the way people treat you. Luckily, there are many tooth replacement options your dentist can provide. Check out these three common tooth replacement options to see which is best for you:

Dentures

Dentures are one of the oldest ways to replace missing teeth, and they are still a popular option. The advantages of dentures are that they can be made quickly, they can be partial or full and they let you eat many of the foods you can't anymore. Dentures are also typically the most affordable option, and insurance often pays for some or all of the cost.

On the other hand, dentures are the least reliable option. They sit on your gums, so they can easily be dislodged from eating, speaking, or laughing. As your jawbone shrinks, you may also need to replace the dentures, so they fit properly again.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is another popular option. A dental bridge uses one or more surrounding teeth to replace a tooth with a fake one. Dental bridges are more durable than dentures because they use your teeth to support the false tooth. Dental bridges are also another affordable option, and your insurance may pay for some.

The biggest problem with dental bridges is they use your healthy teeth for support. This puts extra strain on those healthy teeth during chewing. This may cause the crown to break quicker or it may cause those healthy teeth to become weak. Another problem is flossing. You need to get special floss to floss under your bridge or expose those healthy teeth to decay.

Dental Implant

A dental implant is often considered the best tooth replacement option. This is because it has a false root that sits in your jawbone like a tooth root. The bone fuses to the titanium root, which creates a strong hold. As a result, the tooth is almost exactly like a real tooth. Dental implants can come in single implants, implant-supported bridges, and implant-supported dentures.

The biggest reason people shy away from dental implants is the price, and the more teeth you need to replace, the higher the price. Also, insurance pays for little, if any, for dental implants. Another disadvantage is that if your jawbone isn't strong enough, you may have to get a graft, which increases the price, length of treatment, and pain level.

If you have missing teeth, you don't have to deal with it any longer. There are many ways you can replace your teeth. For more information regarding missing tooth replacement options, check out a website like matthewssmiles.com.